< c •<! < 



< <L - < <: c 



dec 
: c d«C <::<£■ 

dc<L CL <: « . <:<* 



<; d_ ^ : 



«c 



-c <: 









<s <cr c 

<£ C_ cc:c 

«<: c_ <«ee:. « 



<g c cap c 

<^ <: c<SC. r 



t CCCOL 



s C«aCL. 
"c cOd 



•..<c:« 



CL-CC C 

ccc 
c: «: «: c 
: <: c 



~_ . «C<C. 
1 ^- C C 



<i ^ 



'LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

# 

f UNITED STATES OP AMERICA, j 



o c 
c: Cl 
' < Ci 
<?. c_ 

o t 

c c 

-c< c 



-Cc d_ 






dv<C 

C^<. 



, c: c 

c :< 

c c 
c < 

c * 

ox 
ccc 



Cccx c 

:cx c "'' 
dec c 






<£ «:«'>c 



€SL 



KSSl5.< cc ■*■■ 



c<i<KL • *^C'.*^C^- 
c?JC£ 

- C .<1€3CC- 



<r<^ 



^c. 



« 

_ CMc- < 

5"5 * *^ 

CCC V <- 
• C'C< ■■■ . <-'- 

i. c <<$L£^ 

c < C<iV 






C c 



<i«c« 
<L<acc i 

• ■ 
c_cc^ 



eg c- 
< g «. 

a? ct S 
c£C^, 

<:c « 

- <s: •«; ^ 

cc <L <^ 



4SL<&. 






4£r<£>'-kz: <££<&& 






■<: «:*•■■■■. 



c <jC 



*5gp^ 






£ <1 


c 


ton 


<J 


ci 


<m 


5 d 


•c 


., ^it 


<^~ 


'"<: 


V cC 


<ET< 




«c-: 


CC: 


r 


< 


c c 






<^<T7 




V 



r<1 ^ 



^c <C 









c ccti «*£S£>^ 

~ o CO : *«S&$*-S — 

~~ c cc 1 ^<c.cr 
«£TC ceil . •.< <&& 



V 









t^SsjC 



cv-c. 
c cc; 



<2L<L 















HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED AT THE 



HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 

OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE 

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 

NORWICH, CONN., JULY 24, 1860. 

WITH AN 

APPENDIX. 



BY ALVAN BOND, D. D 




NORWICH: 

MANNING, PLATT & CO., PRINTERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 

1860. 









Norwich, July 26th, I860. 
Rev. ALVAN BOND, D. D. 

Dear Sir : 

The undersigned Committee, 
appointed by the Second Congregational Church in relation to their Centen- 
nial Celebration, beg leave to express, for the Church and themselves, their 
hearty thanks for your excellent Historical Discourse on that occasion, and 

to request a copy of the same for publication. 

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, 
JOHN A. ROCKWELL, 
GEORGE PERKINS, 
EBENEZER LEARNED, 
FRANCIS A. DORRANCE, 
S. H. GROSVENOR, 
CHARLES JOHNSON, 
C. B. WEBSTER, 
DAVID SMITH. 



Norwich, July 27th, 1S60. 
GENTLEMEN : 

Please accept my thanks for your note of yesterday, and for 
the kind manner in which you speak of the Historical Discourse, delivered on 
occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of our Church. In response to your 
request, it is submitted to your disposal for publication. 

Sincerely Yours, 

ALT AN BOND. 

Messrs. William Williams, ami others. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



Brethren and Friends : 

The record of a hundred years in the history of our Church 
closes to-day. We have assembled to review this record, to 
revive the reminiscences of the past, and devoutly recognize 
in prayer and song the good hand of our God, as revealed to 
our Fathers in the way in which he led them. 

The ecclesiastical vine which they planted in this rugged 
soil, has, amidst alternations of sunshine and storm, matured 
from weakness to a healthy, vigorous development, and prom- 
ises to bring forth fruit in old age. Already " she hath sent 
out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river." 
On the hundredth anniversary of this century plant we come 
together, to sit and commune under her shadow, and render 
her the tribute of grateful affection, as we rehearse what our 
fathers have told us of the work of God in their days, in the 
times of old. 

A hundred years does not, indeed, produce a very percepti- 
ble change in the progress of the shadow on the dial of time, 
or carry us far into the region of gray antiquity, where history 
is often merged in the age of fable. But in the fresh life of 
"Young America," a century reaches to a day of small things 
in the annals of our ecclesiastical life and civilization. Even 
our elder sister on the old town plot, (perhaps she may claim 
a maternal relation) will regard us as having just reached the 



vigorous summer of our existence, her first centennial anni- 
versary having been identical with the date of our ecclesias- 
tical birth. 

Had all the incidents and facts of value, connected with 
the life and progress of our church, been carefully preserved, 
there would have been a much richer stock of materials, from 
which to select matter for the present occasion, than our im- 
perfect records afford. For some of these things, which have 
perished for want of a contemporary historian, I might draw 
on imagination ; but I am aware that a truthful, matter-of- 
fact narrative is expected. 1 have, therefore, gleaned from 
the field of research sundry matters, which, though they may 
seem barren of interest to those who relish a fresher and more 
succulent entertainment, have not failed to interest my own 
feelings. If they fail of meeting a corresponding response on 
the part of my audience, I must crave their indulgence for 
the hour, assuring them, that, with such materials as I have 
been able to collect, I have done the best in my power. 

One hundred years ago, and these angular streets, steep de- 
clivities, and shady river sides, were occupied by a few plain 
isolated houses and stores, with little if any of the ornamen- 
tal appendages and horticultural decorations which we see to- 
day. Prior to the year 1725, there were no dwelling houses 
in this part of the town. The land, excepting a few water 
lots, lay in common with its rugged cliffs, dells and swamps, 
scattered about in picturesque variety and wildness. It had 
its romantic attractions and scenery, and its tragic legends of 
Indian warfare, and was a favorite resort for holiday recrea- 
tion and rustic sport. 

When haying was over in the rural settlements, the young 
folks were accustomed to muster for a jolly excursion to Nor- 
wich Landing, to wander over the hills, climb the rocks, eat 
oysters, drink flip, and spend the day in fun and frolic* A 

* Miss Caulkina' Hist, of Norwich. 



daguerreotype of one of those rollicking picnics, with the free 
and easy manners, and home-spun costume of the brawny 
swains and buxom maidens, would, I think, possess attractions 
beyond any of the shows or panoramas of modern exhibition. 

At this time Chelsea was little else than " a haven of ships," 
which sat gracefully on the placid bosom of the Thames, re- 
ceiving their cargoes from the inland towns, preparatory to a 
voyage to the West Indies. An impulse had been given to 
commercial enterprise, the wharves of the Landing presented a 
busy scene, and the merry shout of the sailor was echoed from 
these rough hill-sides. Two avenues from the town had been 
opened on the east and west side of yonder abrupt ridge, which 
rises between the Yantic and Shetucket, and were connected 
by Water street, thus forming a winding way round the base 
of the hill. A ferry plyed between the west bank of the She- 
tucket and Preston side, and another across the cove to West 
Chelsea, where some three or four houses had been built. 

On pleasant afternoons the ladies of the Landing made 
equestrian trips up town for the purpose of shopping, that be- 
ing the emporium of fashion and fancy goods. At the same 
time they called on their cousins, and cherished the charities 
of good neighborhood. Perhaps they sent word of their com- 
ing ; for in those days of inartificial simplicity, visitors sent 
notice of their coming, without waiting for any formal invita- 
tion, or cards of ceremony. 

The generation which then lived and moved amidst these 
rugged and picturesque localities, was generally of Puritan 
descent, and possessed those masculine elements of character, 
and that iron energy, which enabled them to lay strong foun- 
dations for a thriving community. Chelsea, with her river 
privileges, began to look up, and entertain the presumption, 
that one day she might rival her up-town neighbor. Con- 
scious of their growing importance, and sagacious as to the 
kind of influences essential to a healthy growth, the people 



6 

began to consult each other respecting the institutions of re- 
ligion and education. As yet there was no meeting-house, no 
church, no preaching. They decided that if they were to 
compare favorably in point of civilization and morality with 
the people of the old dominion, they must, like them, inau- 
gurate these institutions. With a view to this end, prelimi- 
nary measures were taken as early as 1751. Unforeseen 
embarrassments, and want of union as to plans of operation, 
delayed the consummation of an object, the importance of 
which all conceded. 

The ecclesiastical Society, with which this church is affili- 
ated, was organized at a meeting held on the 29th day of No- 
vember, 1751. Captain Dean was chosen Moderator ; Mr. El- 
eazer Waterman, and Mr. Nathaniel Backus were appointed 
with him as the committee of the Society for the year. It was 
voted at the same meeting to erect a sign-post near Mr. Peter 
Lanman's corner, where notice should be given of future 
Society meetings. At another meeting, convened on the 10th 
of December following, it was voted to have preaching four 
months, and that a tax be laid of one shilling and four pence 
on the pound, to meet the expenses. Capt. Jabez Dean was 
appointed to negotiate with Mr. Elijah Lothrop, of Windham, 
to preach for the Society, and procure a place where to hold 
meetings. 

The next preacher employed, was Mr. John Curtis. At a 
meeting held April 29th, 1752, it was voted to reward Mr. 
Curtis by contributions on the Sabbath. Mr. John Elderkin 
was chosen to treat with him in behalf of the Society. The 
services of Mr. Curtis were continued a part of the year, till 
1754, when a vote to employ him further was passed in the 
negative. A meeting was called on the 22d of April, 1755, 
at which it was voted to employ Mr. Ebenezer Cleaveland, to 
preach one year. There are minutes of other votes on the re- 
cords of the Society to have preaching, but the names of no 



other candidates are given. Thus far no steps seem to have 
been taken to settle a minister in the parish. 

On the 30th of June, 1759, it was voted to give Rev. Na- 
thaniel Whitakcr, of New Jersey, a call to settle, provided 
those who were to be organized into a church, should concur 
and agree as to matters of faith and practice. It was at the 
same time voted to give Mr. Whitaker one hundred pounds as 
a settlement, and a salary of one hundred pounds annually, 
for his support during the time of his ministry. 

At a meeting held on the 4th of January, 1760, the follow- 
ing votes were passed : " First, whether the Society do judge 
it necessary to build a meeting-house for public worship in 
said Society. Resolved in the affirmative. Second, whether 
the present Society committee, viz: Jonathan Huntington, 
Elijah Lothrop and Ephraim Bill, shall be appointed to make 
application to the County Court for a committee to appoint 
and afix the place, whereon the said meeting-house shall be 
erected and built." 

In consequence of embarrassments and disagreements, the 
purpose of building a house of worship was postponed, and 
not earnestly resumed for several years. Mr. Whitaker ac- 
cepted the invitation to settle as the minister of the parish, 
and measures were taken to defray the expense of removing 
him and his family from New Jersey, where he had been set- 
tled. He arrived on the 12th of April, 1760, and immediately 
directed his efforts to the gathering of a church, before being 
installed. 

The first entry on the records of the church, is in Mr. Whita- 
ker's hand, and as follows : " After many endeavors the 
church was gathered, and formed by signing a Covenant and 
Articles of Faith, under the direction of Rev. Messrs. Jabez 
Wight, and Benjamin Throop, on the 24th day of July, 
1760." 

The following persons, viz : Nathaniel Whitaker, Nathaniel 



8 

Backus, John Porter, Isaiah Tiffany, Nathaniel Shipman and 
Seth Alclcn signed the Covenant at the time the church was 
organized. When the installing council was convened, the 
following names were added, viz : Jonathan Huntington, 'Wil- 
liam Capron, Caleb Whiting, Jabez Dean, Elcazer Waterman, 
and Ebenezer Fitch. 

As Mr. Whitaker had been connected with a Presbyterian 
body in New Jersey, he favored that platform of church gov- 
ernment. As his agency was prominent in giving form to the 
church, which he had aided in gathering before his settlement, 
he had so managed the matter as to secure the adoption of 
the Presbyterian polity. The plan of church discipline and 
government, proposed by him, consisted of thirteen articles, 
which distinctly recognized the authority of a church session 
consisting of pastor and elders, to which body the entire 
management of all ecclesiastical business was entrusted. 
The authority of Presbytery and Synod, as judicatories, was 
recognized and defined. Among the brethren there was a 
difference of views in respect to the question of adopting such 
a platform. It was, however, mutually agreed to submit the 
matter to the judgment and decision of the council that 
should be called to install the pastor elect. This council was 
composed of the following pastors and delegates : 
Rev. Benjamin Lord, Hon. Hezekiah Huntington, delegate. 
" Hezekiah Lord, Col. Samuel Coit, " 

" Jabez Wight, Mr. Jabez Fitch, " 

" EleazerWheelock, Mr. Samuel Woodward, " 

" Benj. Throop, Dea. Simon Lothrop, " 

" Timothy Allen, Mr. Isaiah Hendy, " 

" Asher Rosseter, Dea. Jedediah Tracy, " 

" Solomon Williams. 

This council assembled on the 24th of February, 1761, and 
was organized by the election of Rev. H. Lord, as Moderator, 
and Rev. Mr. Throop, as Scribe. The first subject that occu- 



9 

pied their attention, was the plan of church government, which 
by agreement was submitted to them. After consultation a 
result was reached, and recommended for the adoption of the 
church, before proceeding to the services of the installation. 
The Cambridge Platform was recommended and accepted as 
a substitute for the one which had been urged by Mr. Whita- 
ker.* The installation took place on the following day. Rev. 
Benjamin Lord, pastor of the first church, preached, and his 
discourse was published. 

Some of you may like to be introduced to Mr. Whitaker, 
whose agency was so prominent in the primary movements of 
this church. I will present him to your acquaintance, pre- 
suming that he is a stranger, of whom most of you have little 
or no knowledge. He was born in Concord, Mass., and was 
graduated at Harvard College in the year 1730. His first set- 
tlement was in New Jersey, where he acquired such a stand- 
ing in his profession as to procure from Princeton College the 
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was a staunch 
Presbyterian of the old Scotch stamp, and made an earnest 
effort to plant that order here. But the two old Puritan Na- 
thaniels, Backus and Shipman, declined coming into such ar- 
rangement, and they carried their point, and Congregation- 
alism was the vine here planted. 

As a preacher, Mr. Whitaker possessed a high degree of 
discrimination and force. There was strength, if not beauty, 
in his ministrations. I infer this from a sermon, preached by 
him, ninety-eight years ago. It is entitled, " The trial of the 
Spirits," printed at " Providence, in New England, by Wm. 
Goddard, near the Court-house." As the printing of a ser- 
mon in those days was an event in a man's life, an elaborate 
preface introduced the discourse, of which the following is an 
extract : "0! how sad is it, that such multitudes of men 
and women, youth and children, even where the word of God 
is powerfully taught, who have Bibles in their hands, and live 

* See Note A. 



10 

in Goshen, a land of light, should run headlong in the broad 
way which leads down to destruction ; * * * * that they 
should so highly prize and constantly gratify the flesh, which 
must shortly be food for worms, and so basely slight and neg- 
lect their souls ; that every soul-murdering, damning lust 
should by them be so heartily embraced, and Jesus, the soul- 
saving Lord, but coldly and complimentally entertained !" 
In the body of the discourse is found the following : " There 
is an enthusiastic, anti-christian spirit, which leads poor souls 
to rest upon impulses, impressions, motions, and what they 
feel within them, as if they were the ground and reason of 
their faith and hope ; whereas the true sealing and feeling of 
the Spirit is the fruit and effect of faith, and not the ground of 
it. ' After ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit.' 
The true Spirit leads the soul to a dependence on Christ with- 
out him, even upon Christ in the word of grace and promise, 
not upon Christ within him, nor upon any created or commu- 
nicated graces, gifts, experiences, tears, sorrows, joys, forms, 
feelings, faith, hope, knowledge, or whatever else can lie 
named, that is not God in Christ, exhibited in the word of 
faith, and covenant of grace." 

From such notices, as I have been able to glean from the 
past, I am confirmed in the conclusion, that he possessed 
strong elements of character. His style was terse and direct, 
unpolished, but strong. His executive energy was exhibited 
in his preliminary movements in this new field. He labored 
under great disadvantages, arising from want of means, want 
of harmony between himself and some of the church, and the 
want of a house of worship. Public worship for several years 
was maintained in Mr. Samuel Trapp's tavern, Shetucket 
street, afterwards owned by the late Benjamin Coit, Esq. 

From some of the writings of Mr. "Whitaker, as well as 
from traditional statements, it is evident that he was fond of 
controversy. Some of his people thought that he loved money 



11 

more than was lawful for a minister, because, finding himself 
not unfrequently short, he opened a store to eke out his 
hundred pounds lawful money. He did not go heavily into 
the grocery business, but limited his traffic to wine, molasses, 
nutmegs, raisins, salt and pepper, with some other articles 
in that line. Some of his hearers thought that at times a 
liberal quantity of the pepper was put into his sermons. He 
claimed a monopoly of these articles of trade, and if others 
sold them, he would go in for a spirited competition. 

He did not, however, let his merchandize interfere with the 
discipline of the church. He had its organization completed 
by the appointment of four ruling Elders ; for his Presbyte- 
rian tendencies would now and then creep out in his ecclesi- 
astical measures. I find no record of Deacons. The Elders 
probably officiated as Deacons, and, perhaps, subsequently 
took the name. From what may be inferred respecting these 
men, from the part they took in the affairs of church and so- 
ciety, it is evident that they constituted a strong board of offi- 
cers. With the pastor, who was rigid in discipline, they aimed 
to keep things straight in the church. A member is com- 
plained of for making too free use of old Jamaica and Santa 
Croix, articles which the West India commerce introduced 
into Chelsea market in that day. It was not alleged that he 
was ever seen drunk, but that he drinked immoderately, and 
would now and then go on a regular spree. He was accord- 
ingly dealt with, as he should have been, and rebuked for 
such disorderly behavior ; and, persisting in this way of trans- 
gression, he was excluded from the church. A young woman, 
one Sabbath morning, strolled down to the banks of the river 
after a freshet, to see the ice break up. For this she was 
called to account, received an official admonition, was subject- 
ed to a fine of five shillings, and restored to regular standing. 
There was one Hannah Forsey, who walked out Sabbath eve- 
ning with Ede Trapp, upon no religious occasion, which was 



12 

a scandal, and withal contrary to the statute of the Colony. 
For this offence she had to appear before the proper authori- 
ties, pay three shillings fine, and one shilling cost, and promise 
that she would not again be so en-trapped. There were vigi- 
lant Tything-men and grave Elders, whose duty it was to 
keep the young folks straight, especially on the Lord's day. 

During the first years of our church, its growth was retard- 
ed by various difficulties which those worthy fathers had to 
encounter. It began with twelve members, and during a 
period of about eight years only twenty others were added. 
With great effort the salary of a hundred pounds was raised 
for the pastor's support. It was not till after many meetings, 
and much discussion, and protracted effort, that a house of 
worship, forty-one feet by thirty-seven, was so far completed 
as to be occupied. This was in the year 1766, nine years 
after the call for the first meeting at which the proposal for 
such a building was entertained. It stood on Main street, 
nearly opposite the house of Mr. William L'Hommedieu. 
The building was planned for thirty-six pews, which were 
sold, and the proceeds of sale were applied towards payment 
for the house.* For a while the bell was suspended on the limb 
of a tree, as for want of means a steeple was dispensed with. 
Afterwards a tower was added to the building, in which the 
bell was hung, and whence its Sabbath chimes rang among 
these hills and vallies, reminding the good people of the hour 
of worship. Joseph Smith, a trusty man, was appointed Sex- 
ton, to ring the bell and sweep the meeting-house, on a salary 
of twenty shillings annually, lawful money. 

From the time when this religious society was organized, 
till their house of worship was in a state to be occupied, 
fifteen years had elapsed — many of them years of discourage- 
ment and difficulty. But the few heroic pioneers of this hal- 
lowed enterprise persisted in their purpose to plant in this 
unoccupied field a vine of the right seed. They did not labor 

* See Note B. 



13 

in vain. But though their success was only a day of small 
things, it was such as to encourage the hope that the vine 
would take strong root, and that under its shadow they would 
sit for years to come. 

The circumstances in which Mr. Whitaker commenced his 
labors, and the misunderstanding which began to exist be- 
tween him and leading members of the church, made it 
manifest that his pastorate would not be a permanent one. 
Though a majority of the church adhered to him, he felt that 
duty summoned him to some other field of labor, and he pro- 
posed to the church that a council be called to take the ques- 
tion of his dismission into consideration, and if they judged 
advisable to dissolve the pastoral relation. 

Before steps were taken for acting on his request, he was 
invited by the " Connecticut Board of Correspondence for 
Indian Affairs" to accompany Sampson Occum, the Mohegan 
preacher, on a mission to England, to solicit funds for " Moor's 
Indian Charity School," then under the care of Dr. Wheelock, 
of Lebanon. This novel mission, owing doubtless to the ro- 
mantic interest created by the presence and appeals of the 
first Indian preacher from America who ever visited that 
country, proved very successful. Thus the first minister of 
this church embarked in a missionary enterprise which had 
respect to the conversion of the Pagans of our country. This 
event seemed the forthshadowing of a still higher missionary 
interest that has become historic. As the result of this primi- 
tive mission for our Aboriginal inhabitants, nearly ten thou- 
sand pounds sterling were collected, and deposited in the 
hands of trustees, subject to the order of Dr. Wheelock, for 
the support of his Indian school. Of this sum George III. 
gave two hundred pounds, and Lord Dartmouth fifty guineas ; 
as a compliment to the latter for his generous devotion, his 
name was given to Dartmouth College, at the suggestion of 
Dr. Wheelock, its first President. 



14 

On the return of Mr. Whitaker to Norwich, he did not find 
things such as to encourage his continuance with his people. 
Accordingly, at his own request, he was dismissed in March, 
1769. On the 28th of July following, he was installed as 
Pastor of what was then the third church in Salem, Mass. 
While connected with this church, he aided the society, by 
his counsels and executive talent, in building a new house 
of worship in the year 1776, which was dedicated as the 
" Tabernacle Church" — a name still retained. This church 
was subsequently occupied by Dr. Worcester, the first Corres- 
ponding Secretary of the American Board of Missions. While 
in Salem, he preached and published a sermon on the death 
of the celebrated Whitefield. His connection with this church 
was dissolved in 1783, and in the following year he was set- 
tled over a church in what was then the Province of Maine. 
Continuing there about five years, he was again dismissed, 
and removed to the State of Virginia, where he died. He 
published several sermons and pamphlets, which were received 
at the time as creditable to his head and heart.* 

It was more than two years after Mr. W.'s dismission be- 
fore there was a successful effort to procure a successor. In 
July, 1771, the church voted unanimously to invite Mr. 
Ephraim Judson to become their Pastor. The Society con- 
vened, and voted an annual salary of one hundred pounds. 
At the same time a subscription was proposed for the purchase 
of a parsonage. This effort resulted in raising one hundred 
and twenty pounds, and the balance of the necessary amount 
was assured by the Society. Mr. Judson accepted the call, 
and a council was convened on the 3d of October, 1771, for 
his ordination. The following pastors and delegates com 
posed the council : 

Rev. Benjamin Lord, Hczekiah Huntington, delegate. 

" Jabcz Wight, Daniel Mix, " 

* See Note C. 



15 

Rev. Aslier Rosseter, Joseph Freeman, delegate. 

" Noah Benedict, Elnathan Judson, " 

" Levi Hart, Elijah Belcher, " 

" Aaron Kinne, Ebenezer Avery, " 

" Joel Benedict, Jacob Perkins, " 

The Rev. Noah Benedict preached on the occasion. 

A historical sketch of Mr. Judson' s life and character may 
be found in Dr. Sprague's " Annals of the American Pulpit," 
vol. second. He was born in Woodbury, in the year 1737, 
and was graduated at Yale College in 1763. His ministry in 
connection with this church continued about seven years. At 
his own request, he was released from his pastoral relation in 
December, 1778. He was subsequently installed as pastor of 
the Congregational Church in Taunton, Mass., where he re- 
mained about ten years. In the year 1791, he was settled in 
the church at Sheffield, Mass., and retained his pastoral rela- 
tion thereto till his death, in February, 1813, aged seventy- 
five. While living in Norwich, he had one child, a son, who 
was graduated at Williams College, and subsequently studied 
law. Mr. Judson was an uncle of the distinguished missionary, 
Adoniram Judson, D. D., who founded the Baptist mission in 
the Birman empire. 

From what I have learned of Mr. Judson, I am led to the 
conclusion, that he was a man of commanding personal ap- 
pearance, deliberate in his movements, dignified in his man- 
ners, and yet affable to those well acquainted with him. Dr. 
Chester Dewey, of Rochester, N. Y., whose native place was 
Sheffield, in a letter to Dr. Sprague, published in his Annals, 
says : " In his theology he was a decided follower of Dr. 
Hopkins ; and, being thoroughly acquainted with the system, 
and withal possessed of a decidedly discriminating mind, and 
strong logical powers, he would defend his own views with 
great skill and ability. He had a good knowledge of eccle- 
siastical history as well as theology, and was altogether a well- 



16 

read divine of that period. His sermons were marked by great 
perspicuity and terseness, and abounded in pithy and striking 
remarks. They contained a large amount of- well-digested, 
well-arranged thought, without any attempt at eloquence of 
style; and his manner seldom rose to much earnestness."* 

Eccentricity seems to have been a prominent feature in his 
character, illustrative of which many amusing anecdotes have 
come to my knowledge. The late Capt. Erastus Perkins, who 
died a few years since in the hundred and second year of his 
age, was one of his early hearers. In a conversation I had 
with him respecting Mr. Judson, he remarked, that he had 
the reputation of being both odd and indolent. If he hap- 
pened to feel weary, he would deliver his sermons in a loung- 
ing or sitting posture. In the summer season, when the heat 
was oppressive, if he wanted a short recess between the prayer 
and sermon, he would give out a long psalm, such as may be 
found in Watts' version. For example, he would name, per- 
haps the 104th Psalm, long metre, beginning at the fourteenth 
verse : 

"To cragged hills ascends the goat, 
And, at the airy mountain's foot, 
The feebler creatures make their cell ; 
He gives them wisdom where to dwell," &c. 

While the singing of a dozen verses was going on in the tune, 
Old Hundred or Hebron, he would retire to a shade in the rear 
of the church, to catch the breeze which floated up the river ; 
and when singing was ended, he returned to the pulpit, and 
commenced his sermon. 

Miss Caulkins has related some things that illustrate his 
eccentricity. When preaching on the excuses of the guests, 
invited to the wedding festival, he remarked with solemn grav- 
ity, that they all began to make excuse. The man who had 
purchased five yoke of oxen, very civilly requested to be ex- 

* Dr. Sprague's Annals, vol. 2. 



17 

cused ; but the man who had married a wife, very positively 
and hastily declared that he could not come. Hence learn, 
said the preacher, that one woman can pull more than five 
yoke of oxen. What practical application he made of the 
inference, does not appear. On some occasion he preached a 
sermon to the young women Up-town, in the quaint style of 
Hervey's Meditations. He gave it a fictitious and dramatic 
form, with a heroine, named Clarinda. She was his ideal of 
a gay and dashing young woman. He described her fasci- 
nating beauty and brilliant wit, introduced her numerous 
and rival admirers, recounted her flirtations, dwelt on her 
fondness for dress, scenes of gaiety, the amusements of the 
ball-room, etc. He traced her course through the flowery 
paths of a fashionable, pleasure-seeking life to the sad finale 
of the sick chamber, and the bed of death, — weaving into the 
discourse fiction and fact, pathos and sentiment. How many 
tears were shed over the poor girl's tragic end, is not known ; 
or how many converts he made among the Town belles of that 
day, (for he preached for their special benefit,) no record 
informs us. But could he return, clad in the same old 
clerical costume, with his venerable white wig to crown his 
head, and advertise his lecture on Miss Clarinda, he would, 
I think, fill Breed Hall with a curious audience. Possibly 
some of his sketches would hit off present times. 

During Mr. Judson's ministry but few names are recorded 
as having been added to the church. The public mind was 
agitated by the political affairs of the colonies, and pending 
difficulties with the mother country. The revolutionary con- 
flict absorbed the attention, and heavily taxed the resources, 
of the people. He sympathised strongly with the popular 
spirit of the people, which was earnestly enlisted in the 
cause of liberty. Soon after the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence was published, he, yielding to the impulses of a patri- 
otic sentiment, requested and obtained leave of his people to 
3 



18 

accept a chaplain's commission in Col. Ward's regiment, and 
was on duty several months, in the service of his country. 

Mr. Judson participated warmly with his church and peo- 
ple, and with the colonies, in their self-sacrificing devotion to 
the cause of civil liberty, then the all-absorbing question of 
the times. Not satisfied with the degree of influence he could 
exert in support of this cause within the limits of his parish, 
he offered his professional services, impatient to share with 
others in the hardships and perils of the camp, that he might 
encourage the ill-equipped soldiery by his counsels and pray- 
ers — invoking the strength of the Lord of Hosts in support of 
the noble work, to the achievement of which his people, and 
the citizens of the town, had so manfully and resolutely 
pledged themselves. He was in this particular a representa- 
tive of the patriotic zeal which in that day glowed in the heart 
of the clergy, and imparted to the ministrations of the pulpit 
the living power of popular patriotism and heroic resolvings. 
The growl of Toryism, that clamored about the desecration 
of the pulpit by political themes, did not intimidate the noble 
generation of ministers, who then so warmly and heroically 
espoused the doubtful cause of American freedom. 

Rumors of war, the enlistment of soldiers, the furnishing 
of military stores, and frequent public meetings to discuss the 
grave questions of the day, so absorbed public attention and 
feeling, as to create a lamentable state of apathy in respect to 
the ministrations of the sanctuary. On resuming his paro- 
chial work, many discouragements interfered with his profes- 
sional influence. Suffering from ill health, and crippled in 
the means of his support, he decided to tender the resignation 
of his pastorate. Accordingly, he proposed to his people to 
unite with him in calling a council to dissolve the pastoral 
relation. His dismission took place December 15, 1778, and 
he immediately left the place. 

[The speaker here paused, remarking, that he -would avail himself of a pre- 



19 

cedent authorized by his predecessor, Mr. Judson, referred to above, and re- 
quest the choir to sing a few stanzas, thus affording him a brief recess for 
rest. Immediately the following Hymn was sung :] 

O God of centuries ! draw near, 

While glad we crowd thy courts to-day. 
For grateful hearts have brought us here, 

With joy to trace the gracious way, 
In which Thy hand this church has led, 

Till now two vines their branches spread. 

Here, as thy holy day returns, 

Our offering on thine altar burns ; 
Thy children join in worship high, 

Repenting souls for pardon cry, 
The meek are bless' d — the proud subdued, 

All feel thy presence — gracious God ! 

One hundred years ! swiftly the hours 

Have speeded on their ceaseless flight, 
And not one soul is here with ours, 

Of those who gathered to unite, 
And form this church, a light to be, 

To guide earth's wanderers unto Thee ! 

As a century more rolls by, 

And we in dust forgotten lie, 
Oh may our happy spirits shine, 

In worlds of light and love divine ; 
And children's children here still raise 

To God, our Savior — songs of praise ! 

The War of the Revolution had now reached a crisis of 
intense excitement and painful anxiety. Frequent demands 
were made upon the people for money and provisions to sus- 
tain the army. While the men bestowed freely such means 
as they could command, the women, who had husbands, 
brothers and sons in the army, formed associations to make 
up garments for the suffering soldiers. All contributed or 
labored to sustain the cause, in which all hearts and hands 
were united. 

From the date of Mr. Judson's dismission, during a period 
of nearly nine years, this church remained without a settled 
minister. In the meantime, the cause of vital religion suf- 



21 

Another of the preachers, employed during this period, 
was Mr. David Austin, a graduate of Yale College, also one 
of Dr. Bellamy's theological students. He was a preacher of 
popular talents, dignified, courteous, eloquent, and impressive. 
He possessed some marked eccentricities which were amus- 
ingly developed in his later years. In preparations for the 
personal reign of Christ, which he fully believed was at 
hand, he involved himself in debts which he was unable to 
cancel. Consequently he was thrown into the debtor's jail 
in New Haven. Being permitted to have the liberty of the 
yard, he amused himself sometimes by sporting with a pet 
horse. One Saturday, he suddenly mounted it and cleared. 
Two officers were dispatched in pursuit, and overtook him 
Sabbath afternoon at Lebanon, just as the people had as- 
sembled for worship. He hurried into the church, went di- 
rectly into the pulpit, and insisted on preaching. His pur- 
suers, thinking that they had got him into a corner, quietly 
took seats below. Immediately he rose, and with an eye to 
his pursuers announced his text, John viii, 21 : " whither I 
go ye cannot come." Having closed the service he stepped 
down from the pulpit, and gracefully surrendered himself.* 

Another candidate employed by this society was Mr. Zebu- 
Ion Ely, a native of Lyme, and graduate of Yale College in 
1779. As a company of British soldiers during some part of 
that year were approaching New Haven, he joined a small 
company of fellow students,. as an advanced post, and kept 
up a brisk fire upon the enemy. After his comrades had 
fled, he with heroic spirit maintained his position behind a 
tree, and continued his fire, till, surprised by a concealed 
scouting party, who attempted to arrest him, he made 
good his retreat, amidst a shower of bullets. Mr. Ely 
studied theology, and was settled in Lebanon. He was the 
pastor of the senior Governor Trumbull, and preached a 

* Dr. Sprague's Annals, vol. 2. 



20 

fered, the -work of conversion ceased, and as very few were 
added to the church, its strength was seriously impaired. 
Preaching, however, was statedly supplied, mostly by the em- 
ployment of young men, candidates for the ministry. Mr. 
Nathaniel Niles, a graduate of Harvard College, prosecuted 
his theological studies under the direction of Dr. Bellamy. 
On applying to the good Doctor to receive him as a student, 
he was very gravely told that he must give up all his pre-con- 
ceived opinions, and begin anew. He did not object to the 
condition, and received his first theme : " The Existence and 
Attributes of God," on which he was directed to write. On 
looking at his subject, he coolly remarked, " I don't believe 
there is a God." " What," said the astonished Doctor, " come 
here to study Divinity, and not believe there is a God !" He 
replied, " I had believed there was a God ; but you said, I 
must give up all my pre-conceived opinions."* 

His popular talents procured for him several invitations to 
settle, but he declined them. He became a resident in Nor- 
wich, and officiated in the double capacity of minister and 
manufacturer. While in this town he wrote that stirring 
battle ode, " The American Hero," set to a tune prepared for 
it, and called " Bunker Hill." This became the favorite song 
in the continental army, which, more than any battle ode of 
the day, roused the heroism of the soldiers, like the Mar- 
seillaise Hymn of the French Revolution. 

The spirit of this young man, whose ministrations in this 
church served to kindle and intensify the fire of patriotism, 
as well as the life of religion, is exhibited in his stirring 
verses, of which the following is a specimen. Alluding to the 
hostile and formidable preparations of the enemy, he says — 

" Fame and dear Freedom lure me on to battle, 
While a fell despot, grimmer than a death's head, 
Stings me with serpents, fiercer than Medusa's, 
To the encounter." 

* Sprague's Annals. 



21 

Another of the preachers, employed during this period, 
was Mr. David Austin, a graduate of Yale College, also one 
of Dr. Bellamy's theological students. He was a preacher of 
popular talents, dignified, courteous, eloquent, and impressive. 
He possessed some marked eccentricities which were amus- 
ingly developed in his later years. In preparations for the 
personal reign of Christ, which he fully believed was at 
hand, he involved himself in debts which he was unable to 
cancel. Consequently he was thrown into the debtor's jail 
in New Haven. Being permitted to have the liberty of the 
yard, he amused himself sometimes by sporting with a pet 
horse. One Saturday, he suddenly mounted it and cleared. 
Two officers were dispatched in pursuit, and overtook him 
Sabbath afternoon at Lebanon, just as the people had as- 
sembled for worship. He hurried into the church, went di- 
rectly into the pulpit, and insisted on preaching. His pur- 
suers, thinking that they had got him into a corner, quietly 
took seats below. Immediately he rose, and with an eye to 
his pursuers announced his text, John viii, 21 : " whither I 
go ye cannot come." Having closed the service he stepped 
down from the pulpit, and gracefully surrendered himself.* 

Another candidate employed by this society was Mr. Zebu- 
Ion Ely, a native of Lyme, and graduate of Yale College in 
1779. As a company of British soldiers during some part of 
that year were approaching New Haven, he joined a small 
company of fellow students,. as an advanced post, and kept 
up a brisk fire upon the enemy. After his comrades had 
fled, he with heroic spirit maintained his position behind a 
tree, and continued his fire, till, surprised by a concealed 
scouting party, who attempted to arrest him, he made 
good his retreat, amidst a shower of bullets. Mr. Ely 
studied theology, and was settled in Lebanon. He was the 
pastor of the senior Governor Trumbull, and preached a 

* Dr. Sprague's Annals, vol. 2. 



24 

up as a temporary place of worship. Measures were taken 
to build another meeting-house, and the lot on which this 
house now stands, was selected as the site of 'the new build- 
ing. The money was obtained partly by subscription, and 
partly by a lottery granted by the General Assembly to raise 
the sum of £800, which, including liberal donations from 
Thomas Shaw, Esq., of New London, and Col. Joseph Wil- 
liams of this city, being their shares of the highest prize in 
the lottery, encouraged the committee to begin the work. 

With the views now entertained of lottery schemes, such 
a transaction as that just noticed, may seem irregular and 
objectionable. Our feelings would, at the present day, re- 
volt at the idea of building a house of religious worship by 
the avails of a lottery. But in former days this mode of 
raising money for benevolent or patriotic purposes was so 
conducted as to avoid the offensive features of the system as 
now managed. 

The dimensions of the new house were sixty- two feet in 
length by forty-two in width. It was substantially built, with 
a tower surmounted by a tall spire. The services of dedica- 
tion took place, Dec. 24, 1795, on which occasion a sermon 
was preached by the Pastor from the text, — " They shall 
abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness." It is 
now sixty-five years since this transaction. From that day 
this commanding elevation has from Sabbath to Sabbath been 
visited by religious worshippers, as they have gone up " unto 
the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the 
Lord." But very few linger among us who can remember 
the services of that dedication. Pastor and people who re- 
joiced together on that occasion, have been gathered to 
their fathers. 

From this time the labors of Mr. King were prosecuted 
harmoniously and prosperously some fifteen years. Addi- 
tions were made to the church by profession almost every 



25 

year. In the year 1810, the number of church members 
was about eighty. The whole number received to the church 
by profession and letter from the year 1760 to the close of 
Mr. King's pastoral relation in 1811, was two hundred and 
thirty-eight. 

On the occasion of the death of Washington, he preached 
a sermon from the text, — " How are the mighty fallen, and 
the weapons of war perished ! " This discourse was charac- 
terized by decided ability, pathos, patriotic and christian sen- 
timent. This and his dedication sermon were printed. 

Nothing seems to have occurred to disturb the harmony 
between pastor and people till the year 1810, when a diffi- 
culty was suddenly created by differences of opinion in respect 
to the scripture lawfulness of marriage between a man and 
the sister of a deceased wife. This unhappy controversy was 
submitted to a council, convened July 3, 1811, from distant 
localities, and after protracted deliberation for three days, 
they voted to dissolve the pastoral relation. In the meantime, 
they state in their result, that " in the trial of this cause, 
nothing has been exhibited to impeach his character, (Mr. 
King,) either as a man, a christian, or a minister of the Gos- 
pel." He was accordingly recommended by said council " as 
an able and faithful minister of the Gospel, in regular and 
fair standing. The ministers and delegates composing this 
ecclesiastical council, were the following : 
Rev. Joel Benedict, D. D., 
" Elijah Parsons, Dea. Ephraim Gates, delegate. 

" Amos Barrett, " Sylvester Gilbert, " 

" Azel Backus, D. D., David Bellamy, " 

" Calvin Chapin, 

" Daniel Dow, E. Crosby, " 

" Dan Huntington, Dea. C. Whittlesey, " 

" Lyman Beecher, Hon. B. Talmadge, " 

" Noah Porter, Hon. John Treadwell, " 

4 



26 

It does not appear that this body of ministers and delegates 
expressed officially any opinion, as to the lawfulness of such 
marriage, as in this case constituted the ground of contro- 
versy which divided the church, and resulted in the dismission 
of the pastor. He preached his farewell sermon in August 
following, founded on the text, " We shall all stand before 
the judgment se.at of Christ." This discourse was published, 
with an appendix containing a history of the origin and pro- 
gress of the controversy, and the proceedings of the council, 
and their result. 

Soon after his dismission, Mr. King preached in the city of 
New York and vicinity about a year. Thence he went to 
Williamstown, Mass., where, after preaching several months, 
he received an invitation to settle over the church in that 
town. His installation took place on the 7th of July, 1813. 
His work in this field was, however, soon finished. On the 
first day of December, 1813, he went to the church to deliver 
a lecture preparatory to the sacramental ordinance. He read 
a hymn, stood and united in singing, and then prayed with 
more than usual fervor. He read another hymn, united in 
singing part of it, and was about to begin his sermon, when, 
putting his hand to his forehead, he remarked that he should 
not be able to proceed. He was immediately led from the 
pulpit and placed in a pew, where he was heard to say he was 
cold. These were his last words. He was carried to his 
house, and died the same day of an appoplectic fit. President 
Moore, of Williams College, preached on occasion of his fu- 
neral, from the text, " My times are in thy hand."* 

In the autumn of 1811, the Rev. Asahel Hooker, who had 
been settled in Goshen, Litchfield county, was invited to 
preach in this parish. Mr. Hooker was a lineal descendant 
from the distinguished Puritan minister, Rev. Thomas Hooker, 



the first pastor of the church in Hartford. In consequence of 



* Panoplist, vol. 12. 



27 

ill health, he had tendered his resignation of his pastoral 
charge. He was enabled, however, to renew preaching after 
a season of rest, and for a time preached in New Haven, and 
in the Spring-street Presbyterian Church in New York. 

It was a kind providence that called him to this church, at 
a time when- the division, created among the people by Mr. 
King's dismission, was yet unhealed. He was pre-eminently a 
common sense, conciliatory man, a peace-maker, a "judicious 
Hooker," whose timely counsels, benign spirit, and acceptable 
ministrations, gradually allayed the elements of bitterness, 
and restored harmony. He received a call to the pastorate 
of the church, which he accepted. His installation took place 
in January, 1812, on which occasion Dr. Nott, of Franklin, 
preached. He entered on his labors with an earnest spirit, 
and the promise of distinguished usefulness. His preaching 
was direct and pungent. In theology, he was of the Edward- 
ean school, and was regarded as a sound and thorough doc- 
trinal preacher. He had aided many young men in their 
studies preparatory to the ministry, by whom he was remem- 
bered and beloved. 

Sometime in April, 1813, he was seized with a fever, then 
prevalent in the place, and in a few days died, in the fifty-first 
year of his age. He met the sudden summons with a sub- 
missive, triumphant spirit. His people were deeply affected 
by the bereavement experienced in the sudden removal of 
their pastor, whom they loved and respected as " a man full 
of faith and of the Holy Ghost." Dr. Humphrey, formerly 
President of Amherst College, was one of Mr. Hooker's theo- 
logical pupils. In a letter to Dr. Sprague, he speaks of him 
as follows : " He was a man of remarkable mildness and 
equanimity of temper. His face was the mirror of a lovely 
disposition. His smile attracted you like the opening of a 
spring morning. On his tongue was the law of kindness, and 
he entered so warmly into all your interests, that you could 



28 

not help giving him your entire confidence. * * * * He 
was a good man, of excellent talents and high professional 
acquirements ; a devoted pastor ; an edifying and searching 
preacher ; a wise counsellor ; an earnest defender of the faith 
once delivered to the saints."* 

Mr. Hooker left a wife and three children to mourn the loss 
of a devoted husband, and affectionate father. His widow was 
subsequently married to Samuel Farrer, Esq., of Andover, 
Mass. His son, Rev. Edward Hooker, D. D., late Professor 
in the East Windsor Theological Institute, and his two daugh- 
ters, Mrs. Cornelius and Mrs. Peck, are yet living. His grave 
is with us in the old cemetery, marked by a plain monument. 

The commencement of Mr. Hooker's ministry in this city 
was identified with the organization of the Foreign Missionary 
Society of Norwich and vicinity. A circular, containing a 
well written appeal on the subject of Foreign Missions, then 
just beginning to enlist public sympathy and patronage, to- 
gether with a constitution, was issued and sent to pastors and 
churches in the vicinity. f This society, a few years since, 
was united with that of New London and vicinity, and em- 
braces the whole county as its field. Its next annual meeting 
will be the forty-ninth, being but one year younger than the 
American Board, which will celebrate its Jubilee in Octo- 
ber. 

At a meeting of this church, held April 25th, 1814, mea- 
sures were adopted to extend an invitation to Mr. Alfred 
Mitchell to become its Pastor. Mr. M. was the youngest son 
of Hon. Stephen M. Mitchell, Wethersfield, Chief Justice of 
the State. He was graduated at Yale College in 1809, com- 
menced theological studies with Rev. Dr. Porter, then pas- 
tor of the church in Washington, and accompanied him to 
the Theological Seminary, Andover, Mass., on his appoint- 
ment as a Professor in that Institution. He there com- 

* Sprague's Annals, vol. 2. t See Note E. 



29 

pleted a regular course of study. The society concurred 
with the church in its vote to call Mr. Mitchell, and offered 
him a yearly salary of seven hundred dollars. In a charac- 
teristic letter* he accepted the invitation, and was ordained 
October, 1814. ^oA^wLtf-^ 

The ecclesiastical council convened to ordain Mr. M-itrlw 
eH-eonsisted of the following pastors and delegates : 

Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D. Ashbel Woodward, delegate. 

" Levi Nelson, Freeman Tracy, •' 

Dea. Elias Perkins, " 

" Nathaniel W. Taylor, D. D., 

" Cornelius B. Everest, Dea. Wm. Cleveland, " 
" JoelHawes, D.D., Lewis Weld, " 

" Charles Hyde, Wm. C. Gilman, " 

" Edward Bull, Hubbard Dutton, " 

" Seth Bliss, Nath'l Coit, 

" Barnabas Phinney, Dea. Ebenezer Allen, " 

" Geo. J. Tillotson, Dea. Edwin Newbury, " 

The Rev. Prof. Porter of Andover preached on the occa- 
sion. 

The people gathered around their young minister with 
confidence and co-operation, and heartily engaged in efforts 
to promote the peace and prosperity of the church. His la- 
bors were prosecuted diligently, studiously, and with singular 
discretion. Signs of promise now cheered and encouraged 
his heart. A large addition was made to the church by pro- 
fession during the years 1820 and 1821. And in the mean- 
time there was an increasing attendance on the services 
of the sanctuary. 

The growth of the congregation required an enlargement 
of the house of worship. The addition and the remodeling 
of the interior were completed in the year 1829. Mr. Mitch- 

* See Church Records, Vol. 1, p. 76. 



30 

ell was very active in urging forward this improvement, and 
though his salary was only seven hundred dollars, he con- 
tributed one-fourth of it that year to aid in these improve- 
ments. Some who were active members of the society at 
that time, have expressed the regret that they allowed him 
to bear so disproportionate a share of the expense incurred 
by the society. 

On the return of the congregation to the house, the pastor 
preached an excellent discourse, appropriate to the occasion, 
from the text, " The glory of this latter house shall be great- 
er than the former." This discourse was printed. From the 
spirit manifested in this sermon, it is evident that he was 
anticipating a speedy realization of the import of his text, 
passages from which, did my limits permit, I would gladly 
introduce, as showing the heart of the man, as well as his 
power. It was not long before his earnest aspirations and 
hopes were followed with " times of refreshing," marked 
with unusual power, the fruits of which were choice and 
abundant. During the year 1830, as our catalogue shows, 
eighty-nine were added to the church by profession, and in 
the year following sixty others, making in all one hundred 
and forty-nine. Many of this number were heads of families. 
Seldom has a revival of religion resulted in so great an ac- 
cession of strength, maturity, talent, and executive influence 
to a church. As might have been expected from the known 
character of the pastor, he experienced and expressed intense 
solicitude, that all who had thus come out publicly on the 
Lord's side, might adorn their profession by steadfastness 
and consistency. He took occasion to prepare a discourse, 
specially adapted to the case of persons who were young 
in religious experience. It was an affectionate and faithful 
pastoral message of counsel, exhortation, and encourage- 
ment. The text of this discourse was from 1 Thessalonians, 
3:8. •' For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." It 



31 

was published, and whoever reads it, will feel that it was 
worthy of the man and of the occasion. 

With a renovated house of worship, and a revived, active, 
united church, the Pastor, then in noon of active manhood, 
must have anticipated many years of happy intercourse and 
prosperous labor among his attached people. But God had 
otherwise ordered. Towards the close of the year 1831, he 
was attacked by disease which resulted in death on the 19th 
of December, in the forty-second year of his age. His amia- 
ble and excellent wife, the oldest son, and two daughters, 
have since followed him, and their graves are with us. 

The most favorable testimonials to the character and min- 
isterial qualifications of Mr. Mitchell have been furnished, 
not only by his published discourses, but by surviving mem- 
bers of the church, then under his pastoral care. The Rev. 
Albert T. Chester, D. D., of Buffalo, N. Y., who in early 
years enjoyed the pastoral instructions of Mr. Mitchell, re- 
marks in a letter, published in Sprague's Annals,* as follows : 
" His sermons were" always most carefully studied and writ- 
ten. It was well understood that he would not preach to his 
people, unless his sermon had been finished to please him, 
but would exchange with some neighboring pastor, and take 
another week to make his work complete. * * * * Nor 
were his discourses merely correct in style and unobjectiona- 
ble in expression, — polished but pointless : they often con- 
tained passages of great power, which, delivered as they were 
with increased animation, fairly startled the congregation." 
Mrs. Sigourney of Hartford, in a letter published in the same 
connection, has given a beautiful tribute to his character as a 
man and a christian minister. Referring to him as being 
averse to theological controversy and metaphysical hair split- 
ting, or a severe supervision of differing opinions, she 
says : 

* Vol. II. 



32 

" Not of that band was he who toil and strive. 
To pluck the mote out of their brother's creed, 
Till charity's forgotten plant doth miss 
The water-drop and die ; but of the few 
Who bear Christ's precept on their lip and life, — 
See that ye love each other." 

In addition to the two discourses already noticed, Mr. 
Mitchell published a sermon on the death of Mrs. Sarah Lan- 
man, another on the death of Bela Peck Williams, a youth- 
ful son of Gen. William Williams, and one prepared for the 
" Saybrook Platform " meeting. 

On the fourth of April, 1832, Rev. James Taylor Dickin- 
son, a graduate of Yale College and of the Theological Insti- 
tution therewith connected, was ordained as pastor of this 
church. Dr. Taylor, of New Haven, preached on the occasion. 
He entered upon his work under very favorable circumstan- 
ces, and with an earnestness of spirit and honesty of purpose 
that won the confidence and efficient co-operation of a strong 
church, that had just been vitalized by power from on high. 
At the time of his settlement there was more than usual re- 
ligious sensibility, which favored his work. During the first 
year of his ministry, thirty-three persons were added to the 
church by profession. In the early part of the year 1834, a 
protracted meeting was held, and continued several succes- 
sive days. A very general religious interest was created 
through the society and community, and a large number ex- 
pressed the hope of conversion. As the result of this awak- 
ening, eighty-five were united to the church. The number 
received on profession, during Mr. D.'s brief ministry, was 
one hundred and seventy-one. At this time the number of 
the church members resident in the place was about three 
hundred and twenty-five. The number of families, that con- 
sidered themselves as belonging to the society, was one hun- 
dred and thirty ; embracing a few over six hundred per- 
sons. 



33 

Having continued his labors about two and a half years, 
Mr. Dickinson, yielding to the conviction that duty called him 
to labor in the field of Foreign Missions, resigned his pasto- 
rate, and his relation to the church was dissolved, Aug. 20, 
1834. After devoting himself several months to prepara- 
tory studies with special reference to the missionary work, he 
took his departure for his distant field among the heathen. 
In the early part of the year 1836, he reached the island of 
Singapore, to which station he had been appointed. Events 
operating unfavorably in respect to this mission, it was given 
up by the Board, and not long after, Mr. D. resigned his con- 
nection therewith and returned. 

This church is affiliated to others of recent organization, 
to which some of its members were transferred by letters of 
dismission and recommendation , The first was that organized 
at Norwich Falls, Aug. 29, 1827. This church had a pros- 
perous, though brief history. Its last meeting was on the 
23d of May, 1842, when some of its leading members united 
with what is now the Broadway Church. As early as 1816, 
a Sabbath School was established at the Falls, and formed 
the nucleus of the church, which, at the time of its organi- 
zation, consisted of only ten members, some of whom were 
from our church. Several seasons of religious revival were 
enjoyed, by which it was enlarged and promised permanency. 
The first minister was Rev. Benson C. Baldwin, installed, 
June 31, 1828, and dismissed, Aug. 18, 1829. The next was 
Rev. Charles Hyde, installed, Jan. 2, 1830, and dismissed, 
Oct. 4, 1834. The third was Rev. Joel W. Newton, installed, 
Oct. 29, 1834, and dismissed, Jan. 4, 1837. The last, Rev. 
Thomas K. Fessenden, was ordained, Oct. 16, 1839, and dis- 
missed, Feb. 17, 1841. Up to this last date, one hundred 
and fifty-seven had been added to the church, of whom ninety 
were received on profession. Changes in the business of that 
village, and the establishment of the Broadway Church, led 
5 



34 

to the dissolution of this, and the clerk was authorized to 
give to the members letters of recommendation to other 
churches. 

The Congregational Church at Greeneville was organized, 
Jan. 1, 1833, and was composed of sixteen members, of 
whom six were from this church. The first Pastor, Rev. 
John Storrs, was installed, Mareh 12, 1834, and dismissed, 
April 17, 1835. The Rev. Stephen Crosby commenced his 
labors in the society in the fall of 1836, received and accepted 
a call to settle, but his installation was for some reason deferred, 
though he continued his labors, until his decease in June, 
1838. The Rev. A. L. Whitman was installed, Dec, 1838, 
and dismissed, March, 1846. Rev. Charles P. Bush was in- 
stalled Dec., 1846, and dismissed in June, 1856. Rev. Robert 
P. Stanton was installed, June, 11, 1856. There have been 
received to this church to June, 1860, four hundred and fifty 
members. The present number is 209. 

On the 24th of May, 1842, seventy-eight members of our 
church were dismissed for the purpose of being organized 
with others into the Fifth, now Broadway Church. Most of 
these persons were then in the vigor and strength of their 
years, and by their removal an important portion of the en- 
tire membership of the church was taken away. The change 
for a reason, though the necessity for it was felt and acknowl- 
edged, exerted a somewhat depressing influence upon those 
who remained. The number of resident members, after the 
division, was two hundred and twenty-seven, among whom 
were the aged and infirm, who did not feel like engaging 
in a new enterprise. This church was organized June 1, 
1842. The congregation occupied the Town Hall, as their 
place of worship, till Oct. 1845, when their house, erected on 
Main street, was dedicated. In Aug. 1842, Rev. Willard 
Child was installed Pastor, and continued till Aug. 1845, 
when his resignation was accepted. The present Pastor, Rev. 



35 

J. P. Gulliver, was ordained, and installed over the church, 
Oct. 1, 1846. It has shared, in common with our own church, 
in several powerful revivals of religion. The number of 
members has steadily increased, till it now numbers about 
three hundred and forty, a larger number than belonged to 
our church, before the separation took place. 

The house of worship, first erected by this society on Main 
street, was burnt down, and the one now occupied, was dedi- 
cated, Oct. 13, 1857. 

The history of our ecclesiastical affairs during the period 
of twenty-five years, the time of the present pastorate, is so 
well known, that it will not be of special interest to dwell 
upon it, even were there time for a detailed account. The 
first Sabbath in May last, closed the twenty-fifth year of the 
present Pastor's labors in this field.* 

These twenty-five years, in passing away, have witnessed 
many and marked changes in our church and congregation. 
On reviewing the records of this church, as they were when 
I entered this field of labor, I find only about fifty then on 
the register, now enrolled among our resident members. 
There have been one hundred and eighty-six removals by 
death. Of this number fifty-six reached a good old age, hav- 
ing passed the limit of three score years and ten, one-half of 
them lived, till over eighty, and one over a hundred years. 
While removals have been taking place by death and dismis- 
sion, additions have been made, and the vacant places have 
been occupied by others. During the present pastorate, five 
hundred and fifty have been received to this church. The 
ordinance of infant baptism has been administered to two 
hundred and forty-four children, some of whom have since 
professed their faith in Christ. 

In the spring of 1844, our house of worship was so injured 
by fire, that it was decided to have it taken down, and to re- 

*See Note F. 



36 

build of stone on the same site. This edifice was dedicated 
to the worship of God on the 1st of January, 1846. The ser- 
mon on the occasion was founded on the text, Psalms, 96 : 6, 
" Strength and beauty are in thy Sanctuary," and was pub- 
lished.* 

This church and society have not only made generous pro- 
vision for the support of the ministrations of the Gospel at 
home, but have freely responded to the numerous and re- 
peated calls of christian benevolence, as they have been pre- 
sented. For several years past not less than thirty-six hun- 
dred dollars annually have been raised for the maintenance 
of public worship. The contributions to objects of benevo- 
lence have varied in amount in different years, rising in some 
years to a high figure, in consequence of special appeals. 
During the last year these contributions have not been less 
than four thousand dollars. 

From a historical sketch of the Sabbath School, prepared 
by the present Superintendent, (Dea. George Coit,) it ap- 
pears that in the summer of 1815, a few colored boys were 
collected in a house on Franklin street. From the first re- 
port of the teachers it appears, that they commenced with 
five scholars, which increased to forty-one, some of whom 
were adults. The persons who engaged in this Sabbath mis- 
sion labor were, Charles S. F. Harrington, Asa Roath, and 
D. T. Hinckley. In 1816, another school for white boys was 
established in the school house, which stood near where the 
Town Hall now stands. The colored school was united with 
this, and the whole number registered after the union, was 
forty-eight. Reading was taught as one of the school exer- 
cises. In the summer of the same year, a school for girls 
was collected by a few young ladies, none of whom at the 
time Ave re professors of religion. It met in the porch of the 
meeting house, and there continued till the weather became 

* See Note G. 



37 

cold, when it was removed to the house where the other 
school assembled, each school occupying separate rooms. The 
number of girls was forty-seven, between the ages of four 
and twelve. Miss C. M. Marvin was the Superintendent. 

In the year 1818, these schools were united under one 
Superintendent, Mr. Wm. C. Gilman. He commenced a 
record of the school, which has been continued to the present 
time. In 1820, it contained one hundred and fifty-one schol- 
ars and twenty-four teachers. To encourage this enterprise, 
there was organized in Oct. 1816, the " Chelsea Sunday 
School Union Society," which had quarterly meetings, at 
which the progress of the school was reported. The succes- 
sors of Mr. Gilman, as Superintendents, were Horace Col ton, 
J. G. W. Trumbull, and Charles Coit. The primary aim of 
those who engaged in this enterprise, was limited to the chil- 
dren of families that did not attend public worship. It was 
a home mission movement. Soon however, the field was en- 
larged, and the children of the congregation were numbered 
in the Sabbath School. From the beginning, it was resolved 
to continue the school through the year. From that day to 
the present, a period of forty-four years, it has been assem- 
bled as regularly as the worshipping congregation. 

A missionary association has been organized in the school, 
and a monthly contribution has been received. The amount 
contributed last year was a little above ($ 166) one hundred 
and sixty-six dollars. From the avails of this fund a Sunday 
School missionary is supported. A Home mission enterprise 
has recently been undertaken, and a school house built by the 
liberal donations of friends of the cause. The number on 
our Sabbath School register at the present time, is somewhat 
more than three hundred and fifty, besides fifty or sixty con- 
nected with the Branch School. The largest attendance dur- 
ing the past year was three hundred and forty-seven, and the 
average attendance has been two hundred and eighty -nine. 



38 

On reviewing the records of our school, the names of sev- 
enteen are found, who have become ministers of the Gospel. 
Four others have died while preparing for the ministry.* 
There has been an onward progress in the prosperity of this 
cherished institution, from its very small beginning to the 
present time. 

The institutions of christian benevolence have received 
from this church cheerful and steady patronage. The cause 
of Foreign Missions, more than any other, has enlisted its 
sympathies, and received essential aid, not only in pecuniary 
contributions, but in the personal labors and sacrifices of its 
members. No sooner was the American Board of Foreign 
Missions organized, than its claims were responded to by our 
church, which has never failed of forwarding annually its 
free-will offerings to sustain this noble society. The prox- 
imity of the Mohegan neighborhood of aboriginal inhabitants, 
early suggested the idea of missionary labor for the conver- 
sion of the unevangelized. The mission of Dr. Whitaker 
and Sampson Occum was a preliminary measure in the mis- 
sionary enterprise, inaugurated ninety-four years ago. This 
church, in its early infancy, was thus baptized into the mis- 
sionary spirit, and during the last half century it has steadily 
shared in the honor and privilege of sending the Gospel 
to the Gentiles. 

Occum, the Mohegan convert, was the first missionary, to 
whose encouragement this church contributed. He labored 
at first among the Montauk Indians on the east end of Long 
Island, and subsequently went on a mission to the Oneida 
Indians, where he labored with success. It is worthy of re- 
mark, that our first missionary to the pagans was a man who 
was born a pagan, and who after his conversion and educa- 
tion, aided by the Pastor of this church, became a pioneer 
in the missionary work. But the spirit of missions, thus 

* See Note H. 



39 

early developed, in connection with the now wasted tribe of 
Mohegans, received a check from the operation of various 
causes, particularly the disturbing excitement and absorbing 
influence of the war of Independence ; and except in domes- 
tic operations it was not again awakened, till kindled in the 
hearts of those young men, Mills, Judson, Hall, and Nott, 
who breathed their spirit into the soul of the General Asso- 
ciation of Massachusetts forty-four years afterwards. This 
church at once sympathized in this revival of the missionary 
life, and from that day has been ready to part with her sons 
and daughters, and pecuniary contributions to help forward 
the work of the world's conversion. Norwich, including its 
original limits, has furnished for the work of missions to the 
heathen, thirty missionaries.* Some of these have gone 
from our own church. Among the number will ' be recog- 
nized the cherished name of Sarah Lanman Smith. Her 
heroic devotion to the missionary work was early manifested 
in the laborious and self-denying services she rendered, in 
elevating the depressed and neglected remnant of the ever 
friendly tribe of Mohegans to a state of christian civilization. 
Seeing them fast sinking beneath the pressure of neglect, and 
scorn, and moral degradation, lying by the wayside, sick and 
wounded, with none to care for their souls, she as an angel of 
kindness undertook the almost hopeless task of raising them 
to the plane of christianized humanity, and inspiring them 
with hope and self-respect. In summer heat and wintry cold 
her weekly pilgrimage was made to this weak and scattered 
people. And by her persevering efforts she planted among 
them the school house and the church, and left on their 
hearts the ineffaceable impress of her noble example of self- 
denying devotion to their temporal and spiritual welfare. 
The fragrance of her memory will be preserved there, till 
the last of the Mohegans has disappeared from earth. Thence 

* See Note I. 



40 

she went far hence to the heathen, to teach the wild children 
in the mountains of Lebanon the Gospel of Jesus. And 
there she labored on till the Master called her 'home. 

In 1842, the American Board of Foreign Missions met in 
this place. The known interest which the people of Norwich 
had manifested in the cause of Missions, called together a 
very large meeting, much larger than had ever before been 
convened. There were present sixty-three corporate mem- 
bers, two hundred and ninety-two honorary members, eight 
returned missionaries, and Mar Yohannan, the Nestorian 
Bishop ; in all three hundred and sixty-four, besides a much 
larger number of friends of the missionary cause. The 
meeting was one of unprecedented interest, and gave a new 
impulse to the missionary spirit in our churches. All felt 
that it was good to be present, and share in the soul-stirring 
and elevating services of the occasion. The committee of 
arrangements was composed, besides myself, of Rev. H. P. 
Arms, Charles W. Rockwell, William C. Gilman, and F. A. 
Perkins. 

From this church and society there have gone forth many 
persons, who have been lights and pillars in church and state. 
A catalogue of the sons and residents of Norwich, who have 
received degrees from colleges, may be found in the appendix 
of Mr. Gilman's Bi-Centennial Discourse. The total number 
of graduates from Norwich, as it was, is two hundred and 
forty-two. Of this number all but nineteen have been grad- 
uated during the last hundred years, of whom many have 
been connected with families belonging to this church and 
society. 

This church has proved a favorable school for the training 
of a goodly number of worthy Deacons, by whom she has 
been well served, and is so still. In 1763, there were chosen 
as Elders, Messrs. Jabcz Dean, Nathaniel Shipman, Isaiah 
Tiffany, and Jonathan Huntington. As there were only eleven 



41 

male members of the church at this time, exclusive of the 
pastor, I think, that with four such men, invested with the 
double office of elders and deacons, it was, as we have no- 
ticed, pretty thoroughly governed. Elder Shipman was a 
Congregationalist of the straitest sect, and, jealous of Mr. 
Whitaker's Presbyterian proclivities, he protested against his 
platform, and being a firm old Puritan in principle, he ruled 
out the elements that conflicted with pure Congregational- 
ism, giving preference to the old Cambridge Platform, which 
was at last adopted. Reliable tradition, in the absence of 
official record, assures us that Jonathan Lawrence, Jonathan 
Huntington, and John Corning officiated as deacons, and 
then we have on record the names of Samuel Rudd, Jabez 
Huntington, William Rogers, Francis A. Perkins, Horace 
Colton, Hamlin B. Buckingham, Charles Coit, Joseph Otis, 
George Perkins, William Williams, George Coit, and Claudius 
B. Webster. 

Deacons sometimes, perhaps not without some cause, have 
acquired the reputation of Diotrephes, who made himself 
notorious in one of the apostolic churches. But it gives me 
pleasure to state, that I have not found, either from historical 
or personal knowledge, any disposition manifested by the 
officers of this church to assume responsibilities that did not 
legitimately pertain to their official work. 

There have gone forth from this church men who have 
acquitted themselves with honor in the responsible positions 
of civil and political trust, to which they have been pro- 
moted. Some have with ability occupied the judicial bench 
in our higher courts of justice. Others have represented the 
State with honor in both houses of Congress. And the citi- 
zen, who at the present time occupies the executive chair of 
our Commonwealth with distinguished ability, was formerly 
a member of this church. Her members and her children 
may be found in every part of our land, from the forests of 
6 



42 

Maine to the placers of California, and from the remotest 
points of the sunny South, to the snows of Canada. And in 
many instances it has been, and still is known, that in their 
wide-spread emigrations they have carried with them their 
Puritan integrity and religious principles, and maintained 
them. 

This leads me to remark, that there was originally incorpo- 
rated into this church and society a large mixture of the 
Puritan and Saxon stock. The leading men were lineal de- 
scendants of the earliest settlers of New England. This fact 
I learn from an inspection of the names, found on our early 
records, and in tracing their genealogy. They were genuine 
off-shoots of charter-oak nobility, possessing its early vigor, 
as when it held in its bosom the magna charta of our freedom, 
but none of its elements of decay. They live in their 
offspring and in their deeds, and though that time-honored 
tree has bowed its venerable head before the storm-blast, the 
sturdy founders of this church and society live in the super- 
structure of which they laid the foundations — live in the 
sons and daughters who succeed them. 

Among the names on the records of this church and so- 
ciety, the following are found : Arnold, Barstow, Breed, 
Bill, Bnshnell, Backus, Bliss, Clement, Carew, Coit, Dean, 
Dennis, DeWitt, Edgerton, Elderkin, Fitch, Huntington, 
Hubbard, Howland, Lamb, Leffingwell, Lanman, Lester, 
Lothrop, Kingsbury, Miner, McCurdy, Perkins, Peabody, 
Rockwell, Roath, Smith, Trumbull, Tiffany, Tracy, Trapp, 
Warren, Wetmore, Wight, Whiting, and some others. Of 
the Huntingtons, four are named as having been active in 
the affairs of the society in the early period of its existence. 
The chairman of the society committee in 1752 was Benedict 
Arnold, father of the traitor, — whose mother is represented 
as "a patern of patience, piety, and virtue." A letter, 
which she wrote to her son Benedict when at school in 



43 

another town, furnishes evidence of her exemplary maternal 
qualities. In this letter she says to him, " keep a steady 
watch over your thoughts, words, and actions. Be dutiful to 
superiors, obliging to equals, and affable to inferiors" — ad- 
vice which seems to have been dictated by the knowledge she 
possessed of his restless, passionate, and reckless disposition, 
so lamentably developed in his subsequent career of profli- 
gacy, treachery, and revenge. 

In the retrospect we have taken of our ecclesiastical histo- 
ry for the hundred years this day completed, much has been 
necessarily omitted. The limits of a single discourse will 
allow nothing more than a rapid notice of the men who have 
been the prominent actors, and the affairs included in its his- 
tory. Enough however has been said to awaken sentiments 
of gratitude to the Head of the Church in view of the past, 
and of trust for the future. 

This vine was trained amidst "troublous times." From 
the year 1760 to 1790 the country was involved in civil and 
political agitations, in an exhaustive war, with its impover- 
ishing and demoralizing influences, and in sharp internal 
conflicts, before the foundations of the government were 
settled. It was a transition age, in the affairs of which a 
generation expended a heavy amount of time, treasure and 
blood. After the darkest clouds of that stormy period had 
passed by, there appeared many portentous signs in the po- 
litical skies, that threatened disaster to the ark of freedom, 
which had just been launched on a sea of anxious experiment. 

It is not strange, that in such circumstances this vine, then 
young, should have been retarded in its growth and develop- 
ment. During the period of fifty years, only two hundred 
and fourteen were added to the original number of six, when 
organized. During the last fifty years the additions have 
amounted to one thousand and thirty-six, of which number 
more than half have been added during the present pastorate. 



44 

Most devoutly should we recognize the good hand of our 
God in his dealings with this our beloved church, whose early 
foundations were laid amidst the struggles ' of self-denial, 
with many prayers and tears. When the storms of adversity 
beat upon her in her weakness, though shaken, and some- 
times cast down, she was not destroyed. The elements of 
Puritan soundness, firmness, intelligence, integrity and faith, 
incorporated in her membership and ministry, acted as a con- 
servative agency, and, under God, she was enabled to endure 
and grow, slowly indeed for a season, but sure and symmetrical. 

This has been a well watered garden. Times of refreshing 
have often visited it, and caused it to bud and blossom, and 
bring forth large and precious harvests. In many of these 
seasons, we, who are among the living, have shared and re- 
joiced. And many who have here finished their course, have 
been garnered to their resting place in the better land. How 
many hundreds who worshipped in connection with this 
church, have passed away! Pastors and people ere this have 
met in another world. For this dear church they labored and 
prayed, and, having been called home, the precious trust is 
committed unto us, to care for, and pray for, and live for, 
till we too shall be summoned to follow them. 

Could the early members of this church have been able to 
look down the long vista of a hundred years, and witnessed 
what we see to-day, how would their hearts have swelled 
with holy joy and exultation ! Could we look through the 
intervening distance, and have a glimpse of the next centen- 
nial, we, doubtless, should behold a jubilee in which there 
would be commemorated still nobler triumphs, and the record 
of richer displays of a Savior's love and grace than the past 
has witnessed. That day of jubilee will come ; but none of 
us will be there to participate in its gratulations and services. 
Whore shall we then be ? Serious, solemn inquiry ! may 
our course be such, that when it is finished, we on that day shall 
be rejoicing in a more glorious jubilee in our Father's house. 



APPENDIX. 



At a meeting of the Second Congregational Church held 
April 24, 1860, the following votes were passed : — 

Resolved, That this Church (Providence permitting) will observe the hun- 
dredth anniversary of its organization on the 24th of July next. 

Resolved, That brothers William Williams, John A. Rockwell, Ebene- 
zer Learned, Chakles Johnson, Samuel H. Grosvenoh, Francis A. 
Dorrance, C. B. Webster, David Smith, and George. Perkins be ap- 
pointed a Committee to cause the foregoing resolution to be carried into 
effect. 

S. B, MEECH, Clerk pro tern. 

At a meeting of the Committee, appointed by the foregoing 
resolution, held May 4th, Deacon Wm, Williams was ap- 
pointed Chairman, and Francis A. Dorrance, Clerk. 

Resolved, That it is expedient, in celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of 
the organization of this church, that an appropriate historical discourse 
should be delivered at the church in the forenoon, accompained by suitable 
religious services ; and that in the afternoon a collation be provided, with 
music and speeches, at some suitable place in the open air, or, if the weather 
should be unfavorable, in Breed Hall, or some other public place. 

Resolved, That all the members of the congregation be requested to co- 
operate in this celebration ; and that the Sabbath School, under the charge of 
the Superintendent and Teachers, be invited to participate in the religious and 
festive services of the day. 

Wm. Williams, D. Smith, and E. Learned were appointed 
a Committee to invite Kev. Dr. Bond to deliver the Historical 
Discourse, and to make arrangements for the exercises in the 
forenoon. 

G. Perkins, C. B. Webster, S. H. Grosvenor were appoint- 
ed a Committee to make arrangements for the afternoon ex- 
ercises. 



48 

C. Johnson and F. A. Dorrance were appointed a Financial 
Committee. 

J. A. Eockwell and E. Learned were appointed a Com- 
mittee to invite absent or former members of the church. 

F. A. DOEEANCE, Clerk of Com. 

The following circular was sent by the Committee : 

CHURCH CENTENNIAL. 

The Second Congregational Church, of Norwich, has decided to cele- 
brate the Centennial Anniversary of its organization, and to carry this 
purpose into effect, has appointed a Committee, consisting of Messrs. Wm, 
Williams, David Smith, George Perkins, Charles Johnson, Claudius 
B. Webster, Samuel H. Grosvenor, Francis A. Dorrance, John A. 
Rockwell, and Ebenezer Learned. 

In making the arrangements for this Celebration, the committee have en- 
trusted to the undersigned the duty of inviting the former members of the 
church to unite with us, on the 24th day of July next, in the endeavor to 
show our gratitude " for mercies past received," and in supplication for a 
continuance of gracious blessings on the church which has been so long a 
watered vine of God's own planting. 

It is arranged that an Historical Address be delivered by Rev. Dr. 
Bond, the Pastor, in the morning, with appropriate religious services, at the 
church ; and in the afternoon, that there be a Social Gathering of the 
Church and Congregation, together with the Sabbath School. 

All persons who have been at any time members of the church, and are 
now attached to other churches, whether in Norwich or elsewhere, are respect- 
fully invited to be present. 

You are earnestly requested to unite with us on this occasion. 

Very truly, 



JOHN A. ROCKWELL, ) ... 
EBENEZER LEARNED, 5 Co " u,nttee - 



Norwich, May 17th, 1860. 



On Tuesday, July 24, at 10 o'clock, a. m., public services 
were conducted in the church in accordance with the follow- 
ing order of exercises : 

1. A Voluntary was performed by the choir. 

" Songs of praise the angels sang," &c. 

2. A selection of Scriptures was read by Rev. Thomas L. Shipman, of 

Jewett City. 

3. Prayer was offered by Rev. II. P. Arms, Pastor of the First Church. 

4. An Original Hymn, by Anson G. Chester, of Buffalo, N. Y., was 

sung. 



49 



Tune— Ward. 
A century's suns have shone and set, 

Since first our pious fathers met, 
And builded here a holy shrine, 

And planted here a tender vine. 

Through all the long and weary years, 
That vine they watered with their tears ; 

God saw their vigils, heard their cries, 
And sent a blessing from the skies. 

That shrine by many a foot was sought ; 

That vine a glorious fruitage brought ; 
Jehovah bade the blossoms start, 

And twined the tendrils 'round His heart. 

Oh God ! thy gracious ear incline, 

To those who keep this larger vine ; 
And give it rain and dew and sun, 

And take its clusters for thine own. 

And when our watchful eyes shall close, 

And death shall bring us sweet repose, 
Still let this vine receive thy care — 

Still let it thrive and let it bear ! 

Oh may this shrine be made thy home, 
Through all the changing years to come ; 

And, tears and toils and struggles past, 
Fathers and children meet at last ! 

5. A Historical Discourse was delivered by the Pastor of the Church. 

6. An Original Hymn, by Miss F. M. Cauliuns, was sung. 



Tune — Majesty. 



We praise thee, Lord, that thou did'st found, 
This church on Christ, the Rock ; 

And still hast kept it walled around, 
From error's fatal shock. 

Praise for the souls of priceless worth, 

Renewed and nurtured here ; 
Praise for our vine's celestial birth, 

And for our hundredth year. 



50 



Praise for the pure and honored names, 

Upon our shield enrolled ; 
For Niles, 0) whose fame the nation claims, 

For King, <2 > devout and bold. 

For Hooker, {S) 'mid the angels sphered, 
For Mitchell, <4> crowned and blest : 

For living guides, (6 > whose light has cheered, 
Full many a darkened breast. 

For trials that the church refine, 

For good men passed away : 
For yon fair scion from our vine, [c:i 

Our sister church to-day. 

Now, Savior, let thy grace divine, 

Fall on us like the dew ; 
Say to thy church, Arise and shine ! 

Revive our love anew. 

So may the century we begin, 

High o'er the past ascend ; 
A nobler throng of converts win — 

In loftier anthems end. 



F. M. C. 



An invitation was then given to the Congregation and the 
Sabbath School, to meet in a social gathering at the grove in 
the rear of the " Free Academy," at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 

The exercises of the Anniversary were resumed by a 
numerous social gathering in the afternoon in the grove ac- 
cording to the preceding notice. The Sahbath School was 
formed in procession at the church, and, preceded by a -band 
of music, inarched to the ground, where preparations had 
been made for their reception and entertainment. The num- 
ber was large, and their appearance, and good order elicited 
the expression of general satisfaction. Members of the church 
and congregation, and many who were formerly connected 



1. Rev. Nathaniel Niles, the patriot preacher of the Revolution, author of the beautiful 
ode, entitled, " The American Hero." 

2. Rev. Walter Kinp, ordained May 25, 17S7. 

3. Rev Asahel Honker, installed Jan. Ih, lol2. 

4. Rev. Alfred Mitchell, ordained Oct. 27, 1814. 

5. Rev. James T. Dickinson, dismissed in 1834, to go on a mission to China, and Rev. 
Alvan Bond, D. D., the present pastor. 

6. The Broadway Congregational Church, — a colony from the Second Church, organized 
June 1, 1842. 



51 

therewith, were assembled in large numbers to participate in 
the services and festivities of the occasion. The grove of 
native forest trees was attractive, and the weather sunny and 
breezy, it being one of the most perfect summer days. The 
surrounding scenery, unsurpassed in its beautiful and pic- 
turesque features, added much to the charming interest of the 
occasion. 

The place of meeting was a hill-side somewhat steep, from 
which there cropped out at different points rocky projections, 
affording natural and substantial platforms, which were oc- 
cupied by musicians, juvenile singers, and speakers. At the 
foot of this terraced amphitheatre of nature's construction, 
tables were spread, tastefully ornamented with floral decora- 
tions, and richly loaded with refreshments. The best arrange- 
ments had been made to render the occasion both profitable 
and pleasant. 

The assembly was called to order by Hon. John A. Bock- 
well, with a few remarks, when the following original 
Hymn, by Mrs. Sigourney, was sung by the Sabbath School. 

Our ears have heard their righteous deeds 

Which ancient records show, 
Who in this pleasant region dwelt 

One hundred years ago. 

Their earnest care, their christian zeal 

To guard with faithful hand 
The Church, the School, the Laws that make 

The glory of our land. 

Oh ! may the heavenly grace be ours 

Now, in our early days 
Like them, to choose with love to walk 

In our Redeemer's ways, 

That when to these delightful scenes 

Our closing eyes grow dim, 
It also may of us be said, 

They have gone home to Him. 

Eev. Mr. Haden, of Montville, offered prayer. Short ad- 
dresses were made by the following gentlemen : — William C. 



52 

Gilman, Esq., of New York, the first Superintendent of the 
Sabbath School; Rev. Joseph Hurlbut, and Rev. G. B.Wil- 
cox, of New London ; Wm. P. Eaton, Esq., and Hon. L. F. S. 
Foster, of Norwich. Rev. Dr. Bond read extracts of letters 
from Mrs. Sally Dodge, of New York, who united with this 
church sixty-six years ago, — and from Rev. Wm. Allen, D.D., 
of Northampton, who forwarded an original Hymn for the 
occasion, which was read as follows ; — 

O Zion's King ! Thee we adore, 

That here a hundred years ago, 
On this implanted river-shore 

A precious vine was made to grow. 

llich, clustering grapes from year to year, 

"Which thou hast nourish' d in thy love, 
Thy vine hath home, and still doth bear, — 

Sweet foretaste of the joys above. 

This Church, blest Redeemer, still 

With every grace wilt thou endow, — 
Thy Spirit every heart to fill 

With heaven's own bliss brought clown below. 

Thy Church, Lord, that growing vine, 

Shall spread its branches wide around, 
Nurtur'd by Prayer, Truth, Power divine, 

Till knell of time on earth shall sound. 

The venerable author of the foregoing Hymn, married for 
his second wife, Miss Sarah J. Breed, an esteemed member 
of this church. In a letter, dated, Northampton, July 19, 1860, 
he remarks in reply to one addressed to him, — " You are 
right in thinking, that, although shut up at home by severe 
illness, my heart will be with you then. Lying on my sofa, 
I write with a pencil a hymn designed to be adapted to your 
celebration." 

The exercises of this occasion were interspersed with sing- 
ing by the children of the Sabbath School, which was per- 
formed in a manner that reflected great credit on the teacher, 
who for several weeks had met them for the purpose of in- 



53 

struction in vocal music. When the sweet, tiny voices of 
the infant class were united in one of their spirited melodies, 
we were reminded of the words of inspiration, — " Out of the 
mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength." 
Two hours having been spent in these pleasant services, 
the chairman announced that the refreshments would now be 
distributed, which was received, especially by the juvenile 
portion of the assembly, with marked demonstrations of 
satisfaction. It was a charming spectacle to witness the 
elastic movements, the happy faces, and exuberant cheer of 
the many juvenile groups, that gathered round the tables, 
"all borne with unconscious effort on a common tide of joyous, 
though controlled excitement. This scene in the programme 
having closed, the members of the school were re-called to 
their seats for the closing service. After a few remarks by 
the chairman, the following Hymn, composed by Mrs. S. P. 
Coit, was sung in the favorite tune, " Auld lang syne," in 
which the whole assembly united. 

Now let us sing our parting song, 

With these kind friends of ours, 
For we have been a happy throng, 

Among these leafy bowers. 

We've heard of those good men, who laid 

The first rough corner stone, 
Of this dear church — God bless'd and made 

Two spreading bands become. 

Pastors who left this church for Heaven, 

The flock fast following too, 
Some who for heathen souls have striven, 

How sweet, all to review ! 

Our fathers ! Bless their memory for 

Their century's holy work, 
And on the coming hundred years, 

We'll make our christian mark. 

And now with very grateful hearts, 

And very happy voice, 
We'll bid these pleasant friends farewell, 

Who've made us thus rejoice. 



54 

And when we've weathered storms and calms, 

O'er life' s rough ocean driven, 
Through centuries long, may we adore 

Our fathers' God, — in Heaven ! 

Thus the Centennial occasion was closed in a manner*, 
satisfactory to all who had interested themselves in its 
arrangements. The day with its review of the past, and its 
hopes for the future, will form a historical epoch in the life of 
this church. The struggles of its infancy, through which it 
was carried, and the fruits of its manhood, which have 
abounded to the glory of God, are fitted to inspire the confi- 
dence, that, under the same good Shepherd it will be pro- 
tected in all future emergencies, and, at the close of the 
century on which it has just entered, that a report will be 
made far richer in its recorded results, and a nobler jubilee 
celebrated. 

The committee held a meeting, July 27th, when the report 
of the finance committee was heard and accepted. 

A vote was adopted, requesting a copy of the discourse, 
delivered on the occasion, for publication. 

The committee then finally adjourned. 

E. A. DORRANCE, Clerk. 



Note A. 

The following is the Covenant, adopted at the time of the organization of 
the church : 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, having finished the work of our redemption, and 
broken down the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile by removing the 
covenant of particularity out of the way, He has set up His own kingdom or 
church, and has sent His Gospel to all nations for the obedience of faith, and 
invited sinners of all nations to turn from dumb idols unto Him ; and has 
required all who own Him to join together as opportunity may offer, into a 
particular society or church, to walk, worship, and serve Him agreeably to 
His blessed Gospel, and to watch over one another for their good, aud not 
for their halting ; 



55 

"Wherefore, we, unworthy sinners, who have sometime lived without Christ 
and without God in the world, being now called out of it by the ministry of 
the Gospel, to the fellowship of Christ ; and having our hearts stirred up by 
His Spirit, and made willing to join together in church state and communion, 
do by the help of Christ, renounce the devil, the wicked vain world, and the 
sinful lusts of the flesh, and all anti- christian pollutions, and our former 
evil ways ; and do give up ourselves first to God, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, through the mediation of Jesus Christ ; we offer up our professed sub- 
jection to Jesus Christ, as the only Prophet, Priest, and King of His people, 
beseeching Him in His rich grace and free mercy to accept of us, as His cove- 
nant and peculiar people. And also we give up ourselves to one another by 
the will of God, promising, in the name and grace and strength of Christ, on 
whom we desire always to rely and trust, and who worketh in us both to 
will and to do, to worship God through Jesus Christ according to His com- 
mands, institutions, and appointments, as they do, or shall appear to be con- 
tained in the Word of God, and to watch over one another, and to walk to- 
gether in brotherly love, according to the rules of the Gospel, to the common 
edification of the body and of each particular member, and to be guided in 
all things according to the revealed will of God, seeking to advance the glory 
of Jesus Christ our Head, both in church and brotherly communion, through 
the assistance of His Holy Spirit, which He has encouraged us to hope for by 
the Word of Truth ; and to submit to the discipline of Christ in His church, 
and to maintain the worship of God in this place, while God shall continue 
us here ; and we do consecrate and give up our children to Him, promising, 
by the help of His grace, to train them up in the nurture and admonition of 
the Lord, as God in His Word doth direct and require. And we do manifest 
our joint assent and consent herein, in the presence of the Lord and this 
assembly, by this our present public profession, and by setting or ordering to 
be set or affixed our names to this solemn covenant. 

At the time of the formal and solemn renewing of their covenant, May 1 7th, 
1787, a revised form was adopted, slightly differing from the foregoing, which 
is found on the records of the church, vol. I, pp. 48 and 49. The form, as 
adopted at this time, is, with a few verbal alterations, the same as that now 
used. 

The Confession of Faith, adopted at the same time, is expressed in the fol- 
lowing preamble and articles : 

Whosoever will be saved, must confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, 
and believe in his heart, that God hath raised Him from the dead ; for with 
the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is 
made unto salvation. We do, therefore, from our hearts confess the faith of 
Christ, and profess to believe as follows : 

I. There is one only living and true God, the unchangeable Jehovah, who 
is one in essence, yet subsisting as three persons, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost. 



56 

II. That God did in the beginning create all things out of nothing by the 
word of His power, and by His will and providence preserves all creatures, 
ruling and governing them for His own glory. 

III. God did create man in His image, after His own likeness, in knowl- 
edge, righteousness, and holiness; and therefore in a happy state, under a 
moral law, which was suitable for him, and a covenant of life, which was 
holy, reasonable, just and good. 

IV. Man continued not in that estate ; but our first parents (fell,) and we, 
and all mankind who descended from them by ordinary generation, did in, 
together, and with them, fall from that estate by sinning against God, and so 
are by nature the children of wrath, and liable to the pains of hell forever. 

Y. God has not left all mankind to perish in a state of sin and misery ; 
but from all eternity elected some to everlasting life, and ordained to bring 
them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer. 

VI. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is both God and man, two distinct na- 
tures in one person, by a wonderful conception and incarnation in the womb 
of the blessed virgin Mary, through the power of the Holy Ghost, is the only 
Redeemer of God's elect, who has offered up Himself in His death a pro- 
pitiatory sacrifice to God, and purchased everlasting salvation for them. 

VII. The Holy and Eternal Spirit of God, whose special work it is to 
apply the redemption purchased by Christ to the souls of men, doth by 
working faith in us, unite us to Christ, and make us effectual partakers of 
the saving benefits of the death of Christ, insomuch that they, who do bebeve 
on His name, are justified. 

VIII. God requires of us and of all Christians, as necessary duties, 
though not meritorious conditions of eternal life, faith in our Lord Jesus 
Christ, repentance towards God, and sincere and unfeigned holiness in heart 
and life, with a diligent use of all the means, appointed for the application of 
the benefits of redemption, which are, especially His Word, contained in the 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and Prayer to God in the name 
of Christ, the only Mediator, together with the sacraments of the new Cove- 
nant, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

IX. There will be a resurrection of the dead bodies, both of the just and 
unjust, and a reunion of the soul and body, so that they shall be jointly and 
together, capable of being the subjects of happiness, or of misery to all 
eternity. 

X. There will be a great and general Judgment, God having appointed a 
day in which he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, whereof he hath in the 
Gospel given assurance to all men ; and at the last day, the Son of Man shall 
come from Heaven in the glory of the Father, attended with his Holy Angels, 
and sitting on a throne of glory, before him shall be gathered all nations, and 
he shall judge the world in righteousness ; the sum of which judgment will 
be, that the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment, and the right- 
eous into life eternal. 

This confession was publicly read, and assented to by those who signed the 
Covenant on the 24th of July, 1760. 












Free Seat for Aged Women. 



















i 

w 

CO 

w 

> 

•n 
o 
M 

!> 

s 

w 











57 

The Articles of Faith with the Scripture proofs, and the Church Covenant, 
in their present form, were adopted by the Churoh, July 27, 1829, and first 
printed with a Catalogue, in 1830. The number on this Catalogue is 177, of 
whom 22 only remain. 

Note B. 

The following are the names of the pew-holders, two families being accom- 
modated in the same pew, as follows : 

Seth Harding and William Rockwell ; Sybile Crocker and Jonathan 
Lester ; Thomas Trapp, Jr., and Stephen Barker ; Jabez Dean and Elijah 
Lathrop ; John Tracy and Peter Lanman ; Joseph Trumbull and Jabez 
Perkins ; Ephraim Bill and Hugh Ledlie : Ebenezer Fillmore, Jr., and 
Timothy Herrick ; William Coit and Simon Carew ; Nathaniel Backus and 
Nathaniel Backus, Jr. ; Abel Brewster and John Martin ; David Lamb and 
Moses Pierce ; Benajah Leffingwell and Ezra Backus ; Benjamin Huntington 
and Nathaniel Shipman ; Joseph Smith and Isaac Park ; Stephen Roath and 
Stephen Roath, Jr. ; Hannah Wight and Joseph Kelley ; Jacob DeWitt and 
John M'Clarren Bn.ed ; John and Peter Waterman ; Benjamin and George 
Dennis ; Caleb Whitney and Joshua Norman ; Daniel Kelley and William 
Capron ; Prosper Wetmore and Ebenezer Fitch ; David Roath and Samuel 
Roath ; William Breed and Zephaniah Jennings ; Joseph Wight and Lemuel 
Buswell. The minister and his family had the use of an entire pew assigned 
to them. Fifty-two pew-holders besides the family of the minister, are in- 
cluded in this record, as it appears on the Society's books. 

Note C. 

The mission of Dr. Whitaker in behalf of the " Indian Charity School," 
identifies him and this church with the work of missions in a manner worthy 
of remark. The successful labors of David Brainard among the Indians 
about that time, had awakened in the churches much interest for the conver- 
sion and civilization of the native inhabitants. The proximity of the Mohegan 
tribe, and their firm frendship, created a missionary spirit in the older church 
of this town, in which our church and its Pastor participated. A mission 
school for Indian youth was founded by Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, at Lebanon. 
It was patronized by the General Court of Massachusetts, which assumed for 
a time the support of six Indian youth. The General Assembly of New 
Hampshire made a donation to promote the design. Contributions were sent 
in from churches and individuals. Among the benefactors were Rev. George 
Whitefield, the Countess of Huntington, and other foreigners. 

Samson Occum was one of the first pupils of this school, and as he became 
a preacher of popular talents, it was arranged for him to go on an agency 
for it to the mother country, accompanied by Dr. Whitaker. This mission 
was so successful, as to justify an enlargement of the plan, and, as the result, 



58 

the Indian Charity School became the foundation of Dartmouth College. 
The missionary zeal of Dr. Whitaker was an element in his life and ministry, 
which for those times entitles him to be reckoned as one of the honored 
pioneers in the work of evangelizing the pagan tribes of this new world. 
And the fact is not without interest, that his labors were subsequently 
identified with the Tabernacle church in Salem, Mass., in which at a later 
period, the ltev. Dr. Worcester, one of the founders, and the first Secretary 
of the American Board of Foreign Missions, officiated as Pastor till his death. 
The facts, to which this reference is made, unimportant as they may seem 
in the eventful history of missions in our country, may be regarded as con- 
stituting one of the small head-springs, whence there has arisen a noble 
tributary to that river of missionary influences and agencies, which is diffusing 
the waters of life over the arid wastes of the heather world. Thus to trace 
a noble stream up to its source in some hidden spring, while pleasing to the 
historic inquirer, affords an instructive illustration of the method, in which 
Divine Providence works in the incipiency and development of its plans. 



Note D. 

FORM OF A " SISTERLY COVENANT " ADOPTED IN THE YEAR 1790. 
We, whose names are here written, having, as we hope, a sincere desire for 
the glory of God, and the good of our own souls and others, have thought 
proper, besides the Covenant we have already made with God and each other, 
to make this also, whereby we hope mutually to assist each other in our 
Christian course. 

1. We think it best to set apart one evening of every week, for the pur- 
pose of meeting together to read the Holy Scriptures, and other good books, 
to sing the praises of our Redeemer, but more especially to pray with and for 
each other, for our dear friends, and all our fellow creatures. 

2. We propose to begin our meetings at the time of lighting candles, and 
not be needlessly absent, but must be as near the time as Ave can ; read while 
our company is collecting, then begin with prayer, then sing a hymn, or psalm, 
next we may read in the Bible, and converse, if we think proper, till it is 
time to conclude with prayer and singing. 

3. Every member that agrees to take her turn in the performance, is to do 
it in the order of her name, as annexed to this our agreement, and in case the 
person should be absent, whose turn it is to pray, the next in order must do 
it in her stead, and the absent one must perform the next time. It is agreed 
that no person shall be urged to perform this duty against her will ; but it is 
hoped, that none will long refuse, since God looks only on the heart. 

4. We promise not to divulge the infirmities of a fellow member, but to 
keep all things secret belonging to the Society, the discovery of which might 
be a disadvantage. 

5. We resolve to be charitable to each other, and to advise, caution, ad- 
monish one another, and we agree not to be offended, but kindly and thankful- 



59 

ly receive reproof from any of our members. "We shall endeavor that our dis- 
course while together, shall be of the things that pertain to godliness. And 
when apart, our behavior shall be such as becomes Christianity. And if any 
member commits any offence, and after being often reproved, still contiuues 
impenitent, she shall be excluded from us, until she gives evidence of her 
sorrow for her past conduct. 

6. We further agree, that if any person desires to join with us, it shall 
be mentioned in one of our meetings, and the one chosen for our head shall 
converse with her, and if there be no objection, she shall be orderly received 
as a member. 

Signed, 

ANNA BUSWELL, EUNICE HART, 

SARAH LANMAN, LYDIA M'CURDY, 

SARAH TRAPP, BETSEY BREED, 

LYDIA PERKINS, SALLY DODGE, 

SARAH SMITH, LYDIA BREED, 

HANNAH JOHNSON, MARTHA WILLIAMS, 

ABIGAIL YOUNG, ELIZABETH BUSWELL, 

SARAH KING, MARY HUNTINGTON, 

SUSANNA HOWLAND, MARY ANNA G. LANMAN, 

ANNA VERA KIRTLAND, REBECCA BREED, 

ANNA FANNING, SARAH PERKINS, 

ANNA COIT, REBECCA HUNTINGTON, 

MARY SILSBY, SALLY HUNTINGTON, 

LUCINDA CHENEY, BETSEY PERKINS, 

ELIZABETH HUNTINGTON, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, 

PERCY PEABODY, ELIZABETH GREEN, 

ANNA REDDY, BETSEY ROCKWELL, 

ELIZABETH ROCKWELL, NANCY COIT, 

CATHERINE PEABODY, SARAH DEMING. 

Note E. 

CIRCULAR AND CONSTITUTION OF THE FIRST FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
The period in which we live, is deeply interesting to the Church and to the 
world. While the Most High is arising to shake terribly the earth, and to 
punish the inhabitants for their iniquities, he is not unmindful of his own 
cause. The last fifteen years have not been more distinguished as a season of 
distress and perplexity to the nations of the earth, than for the exertions, to 
which many are awakened, for the spread and establishment of the Redeemer's 
kingdom through the world. Among such exertions none are more anima- 
ting, and worthy of support, than those which are directed to translation of 
the Holy Scriptures into the languages of many benighted millions, and the 
sending of able and pious missionaries to instruct them in the way of eternal 
life. 

Under the direction of a respectable Board of Commissioners of five 
gentlemen in Massachusetts, and four in this State, five young men of the 
most promising character have already taken their departure, as missionaries 



CO 

to the East Indies. Several others are preparing to follow them ; -while many 
societies are forming for their support, and for promoting the benevolent 
object of their mission, by aiding the translation of the Scriptures. 

In these labors of love to the Redeemer, and to the souls of our fellow men, 
we are desirous to bear a part. In proportion as we value the precious 
privileges, which God has graciously bestowed on our ancestors, and on us, 
we would cheerfully acknowledge the duty of extending the same privileges 
to those who have never seen a Bible, nor heard the name of a Savior. While 
we consider, the earth is " the Lord's and the fulness thereof," that the silver 
and the gold are his, and that we are stewards for him of all we possess, we 
would cheerfully contribute of our substance for promoting the glory of the 
Redeemer in the instruction and salvation of our fellow sinners. 

With such impression, and such views of this momentous subject — we, the 
subscribers, do hereby associate for the purposes here contemplated, and give 
our consent to the following 

CONSTITUTION. 
Article 1. The name of this Association shall be The Foreign Mission 
Society of Norwich and the Vicinity. 

2. The general object of the Society shall be to raise money for the sup- 
port of Foreign Missions, and to aid the translation of the Bible into various 
languages, — the particular objects being specified in the subscription. 

3. Every person who shall subscribe to this Constitution, and shall engage 
to pay to the Treasurer of this Society annually a sum not less than one 
dollar, shall be a member. 

4. Every person paying fifty dollars at one time, shall be a member of 
the Society for life. 

5. The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice Presidents, a 
Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor, to be chosen by ballot at the annual 
meeting. 

6. The Society shall hold its annual meeting, alternately in the first and 
second Society in Norwich, on the third Tuesday of May in each year. 

7. The first payment shall be made at or before the first annual meeting. 

8. Defines the duties of the Secretary. 

9. Defines the duties of the Treasurer. 

10. The Society will receive donations for the support of either of the 
above (named) purposes, under such restrictions as the donors shall impose, 
and will pay such donations according to the direction of the donors. 

11. Defines the mode in which the current expenses of the Society shall 
be met. 

12. If the office of the Secretary or Treasurer shall become vacant during 
the year, the President shall designate a person to fill his place. 

13. Any member may withdraw from this Society by giving written 
notice to the Treasurer of his intention to withdraw, and paying all arrearages. 

14. No alteration shall be made in this Constitution, unless by a vote of 
two-thirds of the members, present at an annual meeting. 



61 



OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 

Rev. Joseph Strong, D. D., President. 

Rev. Asahel Hooker, ) •.,. -r. . . 

„ TT y Vice Presidents. 

Zechariah Huntington, Esq., J 

Jabez Huntington, Esq., Secretary. 

Hezekiah Perkins, Esq., Treasurer. 

James Stedman, Esq., Auditor. 

Norwich, May 25, 1812. 

In this record we recognize one of the first auxiliary Missionary Societies 
organized in the country. From the commencement of its operations it has 
not failed to contribute annually to the funds of the American Board. The 
Foreign Missionary Society of New London and vicinity, was organized April 
14, 1812. Gen. Jedediah Huntington, the grand-father of Mrs. Eli Smith, 
was the first President of the Society. In the month of June following, the 
sum total for Foreign Missions, acknowledged in the Panoplist, was $1379 15; 
of which amount $375 60 was contributed by the two Societies, principally 
that of New London and vicinity. During the first year they forwarded 
$531 60, to the Treasurer of the Board of Missions. A few years since, these 
Societies were united under the name of " Norwich and New London Foreign 
Missionary Society." 

Note F. 

The native place of the present Pastor was Sutton, Mass. He was gradu- 
ated at Brown University, in 1815. His theological studies were prosecuted 
at the Theological Seminary, Andover, Mass., where he remained as a resident 
graduate most of the year after having completed the regular course of study. 
Near the close of that year, 1819, he was ordained and installed as Pastor 
of the Congregational Church in Sturbridge. Having prosecuted his labors 
there about ten years, he accepted an appointment, as Professor of Sacred 
Literature, in the Theological Seminary, Bangor, Maine. The severity of the 
climate affecting his health unfavorably, he was induced to seek a field of 
labor in a milder region. In the winter of 1835, an invitation from this 
Church and Society was extended to him to assume the pastorate thereof, 
which was accepted. 

On the sixth of May the following Council was convened to attend to the, 
preliminary services, and perform the solemnities of the installation. 

Rev. Samuel Nott, D.D., Franklin; Ashbel Woodward, Delegate. 
" Levi Nelson, Lisbon ; Freeman Tracy, " 

" Lyman Strong, Colchester ; R. H. Isham, " 

" Timothy Tuttle, Ledyard ; Isaac Gallup, " 

" Joel Hawes, D. D., Hartford ; AVilliam Watson, " 

" Charles Hyde, Norwich ; (without charge.) 
" Joel W. Newton, Norwich ; Wm. C. Gilman, Delegate. 

" A. B. Collins, Preston; George Loring, " 

Fourth Church, Norwich. S. L. Hough, " 



62 

The Rev. Mr. Strong presided as Moderator, and Rev. Chas. Hyde acted 
Scribe. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Dr. Hawes. The 
installing prayer was offered by Dr. Nott. The charge was addressed to the 
Pastor by Mr. Strong. The Right Hand of Fellowship was given by Mr. 
Newton. 

Note G-. 

The edifice, which at present is occupied as the house of worship by the 
Second Congregational Church, is ninety-one feet in length, including the 
tower, and sixty-four feet in width. It contains one hundred and twenty 
slips on the floor, and twenty-four in the gallery, besides the orchestra. The 
architecture is of the Roman order, the plan of which was furnished by a 
professional architect, Mr. Warren, of Providence, R. I. The building Com- 
mittee were Messrs. Russell Hubbard, William Williams, Charles W. 
Rockwell, George Perkins, Daniel L. Trumbull and Henry Allen. 

The services of dedication consisted in reading selections of Scripture by 
Rev. Eli Smith, Missionary from Beirut, introductory prayer by the venerable 
Samuel Nott, D. D., in the ninety-second year of his age ; sermon by the 
Pastor ; dedicatory prayer by Rev. Thomas L. Shipman ; concluding prayer 
by Rev. Mr. Clark, Pastor of the Central Baptist Church, whose house of 
worship had been kindly offered for the use of the Society, while their house 
was in the progress of building. 

The resident members of the Church at this time numbered two hundred 
and eighty. The Deacons were Jabez Huntington, Joseph Otis, H. B. 
Buckingham and Charles Coit. 

The organ, which cost about three thousand dollars, was the gift of Dea. 
Joseph Otis, who, in addition to many other liberal benefactions, founded and 
endowed the Library, which bears his name. Besides this, he contributed one 
thousand dollars towards the establishment of the Pastor's Library. A rich 
silver christening vase was presented to the Church by Mrs. Eunice B. 
Farnsworth, and a plated communion service with a silver cup was given by 
Miss Mary R. Mackie, now Mrs. Frank Johnson. A beautiful Bible for the 
pulpit was presented by Charles Boswell, of Hartford. 

In the summer of 1855, this house of worship underwent extensive repairs, 
and important changes, at an expense of about six thousand dollars. This 
amount was subscribed and promptly paid when the work was done. The 
dimensions of the Church are sufficient to accommodate eight hundred hear- 
ers, and with extra seats a thousand persons may be comfortably stated. 

The Sabbath School room is fifty-nine feet by thirty-six, exclusive of the 
room for the infant class, and will accommodate from three hundred and 
fifty to four hundred scholars. The Lecture room contains seats for one 
hunched and seventy-five. All these rooms have been furnished so as to 
make them comfortable and pleasant. 



63 



Note H. 

The persons referred to, as having entered into the work of the Gospel 
Ministry from the Sabbath School, are the following: 

L. D. Bentley, Silas H. Hazzard, 

Albert T. Chester, Walter K. Wilkie, 

Henry Bromley, Daniel W. Havens, 

Edward W. Gilman, James A. Bolles, 

Elias B. Hillard, William Palmer, 

Giles B. Wilcox, John T. Coit, 

William Tracy, Francis C. Woodworth, 

Charles H. Chester, Timothy Dwight, 

James Dwight, Henry D. Woodworth. 

Several have died while preparing for the ministry, viz : — Peter L. 
Huntington, John B. Dwight, Daniel Willes, and N. W. Dewey. 



Note I. 

The following catalogue of Missionaries, who have gone from the original 
limits embraced in the Town of Norwich, was prepared by William C. 
Gilman, Esq., once a member of this Church, now of New York. 



Year. 




1761. 


Rev. 


1766. 


« 


1812. 


i< 


1812. 


Mrs, 


1819. 


Rev. 


1819. 


Mrs. 


1821. 


Rev. 


1825. 


Mr. 


1826. 


Mrs. 


1827. 


Rev, 


1827. 


Mrs, 


1833. 


Mrs. 


1833. 


Mrs, 


1833. 


Mrs. 


1833. 


Mrs. 


1833. 


Rev. 


1835. 


i< 


1835. 


(< 


1835. 


Mrs. 


1836. 


Mrs. 


1836. 


Rev. 


1839. 


Mrs. 


1839. 


Mrs. 



Names. 
Samson Occum. - 

Samuel Kirtland, ... 

Samuel Nott, Jr. ... 
Nott, (Roxana Peck,) - 
Miron Winslow, ... 
Winslow, (Harriet Lathrop,) 
William Potter, ... 
William H. Manwaring, - , 
Anson Gleason, (B. W. Tracy.) 
Jonathan S. Green, 
Gulic, (Fanny H. Thomas,) - 
Ely Smith, (Sarah L. Huntington,) 
Palmer, (Jerusha Johnson,) - 
Hutchins, (Elizabeth C. Lathrop,) 
Perry, (Harriet L. Lathrop,) 
Stephen Johnson, - 
James T. Dickinson, ... 
William Tracy, ... 
Hebard, (Rebecca W. Williams,) 
Cherry, (Charlotte H. Lathrop,) 
James L. Thompson, - 
Palmer, (Clarrissa Johnson,) 
Sherman, (Martha E. Williams,) 



Mission. 
Oneida. 

Mahratta. 

Ceylon. 

- Cherokee. 

Choctaw. 
Sandwich Islands. 

Syria. 

Cherokee. 

Ceylon. 

Siam. 

Singapore, 

Madura, 

Syria. 

Madura. 

- Cyprus. 

Cherokee. 

Syria. 



64 



1839. 


lira. 


Brewer, (Laura L. 


1840. 


Rev. 


Joshua Smith, 


1844. 


Miss 


Susan Tracy, - 


1844. 


(i 


Lucinda Downer, 




ii 


Eunice Starr, 


1854. 


Rev. 


William Aitchison, 


1860. 


ii 


Wm. F. Arms, 



Oiddings,) 



Oregon. 

Africa. 

Choctaw. 



China'. 
Bulgaria. 

Fourteen Missions have been or are at present strengthened and sustained 
by the sons and daughters of the Congregational Churches of Norwich, as 
it was one hundred years ago. This fact has, as would be naturally ex- 
pected, created in these Churches a healthy and stable interest in the work 
of Foreign Missions — an interest that lives in unabated vigor and efficiency. 



I \ 



A 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED AT THE 



HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 

OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE 

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 

NORWICH, CONN., JULY 24, 1860. 



"WITH AN 



APPENDIX. 
BY A L V A N BOND, D. D. 



M 






NORWICH: 

MANNING, PLATT & CO., PRINTERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 

1860. 



CC04L" 









*c cC««i. 



trcac 
CC<C_ 



sue 



C 

'ST' 




X 



«2 < 



c <*<C 















«««C_C 



ere «- «CTi "-JS*- 

cc c <C<^ <t 

< C <1 OKZ" <L 
< <5. C_<tCL -<L 

« C <L <KS ^ 



,.• •« ■ 

c a ' c < 

-a C 

«3 ■ 



«£- c S£ ^^£F 









<«<<iaC. * 









life *■ 






"TC 















cc 
< c 

dC 

c< 
<5 

- cc 

-~ C«C 

r? ' 

^ • ^ 



PC 



c cc 



ccc 
«>c 

"' <*C— 






~=? ^~^ ^^^ ^ < «! 




<*fc--<^ Sv c 


^T 1 " <L 


- c -- -5- 5^ 




cjc«c ^ 

C*£<~<!^ > -«rr, 






c'<~'c"^r_ 


* 











« c:<<^, <c c: ^ 

etc — 
S<KC 

C <: <r 



I c c 
r c •■.. c 

L< C 

J CL-C 

LCC f 
' <L C 












<£<C 



■ 



1 «£gjcr<i ' 

c c ■ ' 












^ 



< I i _ < 

C CI 1-5 












<cL , c: 






<i <l 



■ ^ar cc 



' C(3CS 
^ c«C 






n 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



| || llll III III 1 II II III HI I" I I mi 

014 076 198 9 



